Protesters assemble outside Missouri Capitol to decry police brutality

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

UPDATE: Protests have begun outside the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

The protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody started at about 5 p.m. and remained peaceful about an hour later.

Authorities in riot gear could be seen at the protest site watching the event.

Watch a replay of part of the protest in the player below.

ORIGINAL: The Office of Administration has ordered all state offices in the Missouri capital closed ahead of protests Monday afternoon.

Information has been posted on Facebook about multiple protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis that are scheduled for Missouri's capital Monday. One of the events says it is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

Protesters have taken to the streets across the country after a Minneapolis police officer was seen on video with a knee of Floyd's neck last week. Floyd died in police custody.

Protests have turned violent in the St. Louis area and in Kansas City resulting in arrests and injuries to protesters and police.

"These protests are presumed to be peaceful, but as a precautionary measure State Office Buildings will close at 3:00PM today," the Office of Administration said in an email to state workers. "Protests are expected to begin around 5PM and continue throughout the evening."

Office of Administration spokesperson Chris Moreland said the peaceful protest combined with construction around the Capitol could lead to traffic problems. Moreland called the order a precautionary measure because of the possibility of traffic issues.

The Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City is also closing at 5 p.m., citing the protests. Jefferson City Schools said it was canceling all evening activities at JCHS "out of an abundance of caution."

Check back for coverage of the protests.