As a jury deliberates the fate of the police officer accused of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis, a vigil was held in Yonkers Monday for all victims of police brutality.

For nine minutes, they stood in silence - a reflection of the time Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck nearly a year ago.

The message from the group is to confirm again that 'Black Lives Matter.'

This is the latest demonstration as the nation waits for the jury to come back with a verdict in Chauvin's murder trial.

The outcome is expected to spark rallies and protests nationwide, including in the Hudson Valley, regardless of the verdict.

Activists in Yonkers say they're prepared to continue spreading their message.

"As we await the verdict in this case, we have to think about everyone as a country. If we're going to come together and decide who we want to be as people," says Rita Walton, of Yonkers.

Yonkers police don't believe the situation will get out of hand, but Commissioner John Mueller says his department has internal plans to keep everything in order just in case.

"People are allowed to express their views. All of our activists all feel the same as we do; we want to do it in a safe manner," says Mueller. 

Mueller adds that much like last summer, he expects to keep people and property safe because of his department's strong relationship with the community.