BAKERSFIELD, Cali. — Kern County and Superior Court employees have been granted permission to leave early Friday due to unexpected protests in Downtown Bakersfield.
According to county officials, directors and departments heads were given the ability Friday to send their staff home early in preparation for protests near the court houses and administrative building.
"We have hundreds of employees that work in these buildings and when they leave tons of cars flood the area," said county spokesperson Megan Person. "We want to keep the pedestrians gathering in the area safe, while also keeping our employees safe. Truxtun is a busy street during rush hours."
Court officials said employees can leave as early as 3:45 p.m. and felony arraignments planned for Friday will be held at 2 p.m. instead of 3 p.m.
Fridays events in Bakersfield join the nation in its fourth day of protests in light of the death of George Floyd.
Floyd was killed while handcuffed and pinned at the neck under the knee of a white police officer. On Friday, the former Minneapolis police officer seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck before his death was charged with the man's murder.
Ex-officer Derek Chauvin has been taken into custody and charged with 3rd degree murder, as well as manslaughter.
Chauvin is one of four officers who have been fired from the Minneapolis Police Department for their alleged role in Floyd’s death.
Part of this article were contributed by Scripps Reporter Kyle Hicks.
