Protests over Derek Chauvin's release to go into a second night

Families of those killed by police march with hundreds of supporters in "The Secret March" down University Avenue to the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct., 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

MINNEAPOLIS _ Two protests were planned in the Twin Cities on Thursday to protest the release of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd on May 25.

They come on the heels of a march Wednesday night in south Minneapolis that ended when 51 people were arrested near the police 5th Precinct headquarters.

Chauvin left Oak Park Heights prison earlier Wednesday after posting $1 million bond. In anticipation of unrest, Gov. Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard and mobilized 100 State Patrol troopers and 75 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers to help local law enforcement in case of trouble.

Protesters gather on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Chauvin, who has been fired, was initially booked into the Ramsey County jail after being charged in Floyd's death and then moved to the state prison for security reasons. He is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

On Wednesday evening, about 300 people marched peacefully from the site where Floyd died a few blocks north and back, while a contingent of marchers made their way to the Fifth Precinct, where many of the arrests took place.

There were 51 arrests made by various law enforcement agencies in connection with the protest, Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Thursday.

Families of those killed by police march with hundreds of supporters in "The Secret March" down University Avenue to the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct., 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Elder said 49 of the arrests were for misdemeanor offenses. The Hennepin County jail log shows many were cited for unlawful assembly. One person was arrested for fourth-degree assault and one other on a felony warrant, he said.

The state Department of Public Safety disclosed that 24 of the overall arrests were made by the State Patrol and another 10 by DNR officers.

A live news feed from Unicorn Riot showed several people being ordered to get down on the ground in preparation for arrest on suspicion of illegal assembly.

Families of those killed by police march with hundreds of supporters in "The Secret March" down University Avenue to the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct., 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Members of the National Lawyers Guild were on the scene offering legal support to protesters, and at least two of its members were arrested, Unicorn Riot reported.

Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, Black Lives Matter Minnesota and other activist organizations plans to protest Thursday evening in downtown Minneapolis.

"It's a shame that all four killer cops of George Floyd are eating dinner with their families, awaiting their day in court," said Justice for Jamar representative DeShaun McDonald. "It's a shame that a murderer can be released by $1 million bond that he doesn't have because he's being charged with tax fraud."

Families of those killed by police march with hundreds of supporters in "The Secret March" down University Avenue to the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct., 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

The St. Paul event was dubbed The Secret March.

Families of those killed by police march with hundreds of supporters in "The Secret March" down University Avenue to the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. There they dropped several effigies and coffins, along with a list of demands, as law enforcement takes up postion on the Capitol steps. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Cortez Rice is brought to tears as he calles for justice on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, during a protest outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Toshira Garraway, who's sons father Justin Teigen was killed after an encounter with St. Paul Police, participates in "The Secret March" in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

A proteter listens to speakers on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Royce White stands by the speakers, those who have lost loved ones to the police, during "The Secret March" in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Diamond Reynolds, former fiance of Philando Castile, speaks during "The Secret March" at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, Oct., 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Leila Navidi/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Asecond night of protests outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, a day after the release of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)