Dozens of demonstrators on Monday marched and chanted to protest against police brutality and to support a nationwide demand for justice.
The demonstration was organized by 26-year-old Shenaye Ousley, who alongside a friend, brought a crowd of about 150 people to Civic Center park bearing signs and chanting, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” and “Black lives matter!”
“We need to be able to trust cops. Instead of just responding when something bad happens, be involved in the community,” Ousley said. “If I know, say officer Tom, and have a relationship with him in the community, I’m going to feel safe calling him when something goes wrong. But if I don’t know you, and you’re not a nice guy, I’m going to be afraid.”
The crowd gathered in Civic Center park before walking the entirety of the 16th Street Mall. Many of the mall’s occupants pulled out their cell phones to record demonstrators marching past.
“This is proof you can have a peaceful assembly,” said Quincy Shannon, who was leading the march and initiating chants with his megaphone. “Far too many people are afraid of the police. Does that mean that all cops are racist? No. But some of the outliers are making it hard to breathe.”
The protesters included professors, elementary school teachers and people who said they had either experienced police brutality themselves, or knew someone who had.
“I’ve been held at gunpoint because I was reaching in my pocket to grab my phone, that was just last year. I thought I was going to die that day,” said Josh Lacey, 27. “I hate using the race card, but it absolutely is a real thing… and I’m tired of it.”
Demonstrators Monday concluded their rally by passing the camp of protesters engaged in a 135-hour sit-in at Civic Center park in protest of 135 African-Americans who were killed by police nationally in the past year. Monday’s marchers walked past in silence with only their fists in the air, a sign of recognition for their shared cause.
“It’s amazing. Today there is unity and solidarity. And that’s the only way that we’ll get this done,” Ousley said. “It’s the only way.”