In a 20-minute speech, Poe shared the city’s accomplishments and failures, with occasional cameos from city commissioners and local leaders. He discussed topics from homelessness to social justice. WUFT News fact checked and added context to some of the statements the city included in the address: (Mayor Lauren Poe:) In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, organizers worked cooperatively to work with city community members, including the Gainesville Police Department, to hold peaceful and powerful demonstrations, continuing Gainesville’s long-standing commitment to protecting our neighbors’ right to peacefully protest. Fact check: Gainesville was one of about 30 U.S. cities that held a “March for Our Freedom” protest in May following Floyd’s death. Organizers urged the community to stay peaceful and use the event as an opportunity to spark awareness of police brutality. After the event, William John Connelly drove his car into protesters, according to police. There were no serious injuries, and Connelly was charged with six counts of aggravated assault. The protest was the largest of several others during the summer and fall that called for ending racial injustice and defunding the police. The protest was the largest of several others during the summer and fall that called for ending racial injustice and defunding the police.