Taking the Streets in San Jose for Trayvon Martin

Dozens of community members gathered on July 14 to hold a vigil for justice for Trayvon Martin at San Jose City Hall. The group decided to march to the federal building and circle around the downtown to get their message out, and San Jose Police exerted pressure on marchers to move onto the sidewalk. For much of the march, individuals were chanting, "no justice, no peace, no racist police."

Other march chants included: "Long Live Trayvon," "Trayvon lives," "Trayvon is never gone," "No justice, no peace, we're taking over the streets," "Long live Oscar Grant," "No justice, no peace, no racist police," "Being black is not a crime," "Trayvon is never gone," "Racist cops, racist laws, it all starts at city hall." 

About halfway through the march, approximately eight San Jose Police Department patrol vehicles began to follow the demonstrators, ordering individuals to stay on the sidewalk or they would be cited. When marchers returned to City Hall, officers strapped on large clubs to their belts.

San Jose City Hall

Federal Building