Ferguson "Day After" Gathering in Santa Cruz

On November 25, a wide variety of community members in Santa Cruz came together at the Town Clock, and eventually marched to the Santa Cruz Police Department, in response to the announcement in Missouri the day before that the grand jury investigating the killing of Michael Brown had concluded there was "no probable cause" for an arrest or indictment of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Wilson shot and killed Brown on August 9 in Ferguson, MO. in broad daylight. Numerous witnesses reported Brown was unarmed and holding his hands up while attempting to surrender to Wilson.

At the Santa Cruz Town Clock, individuals passed out flowers and candles, and a rally with speakers was held. It was announced that afterward the Resource Center for Nonviolence (RCNV) would be open and hosting a community dialog to discuss the grand jury's decision.

After the speeches at the rally concluded, some participating in the event organized a march down Pacific Avenue, which eventually made its way to the Santa Cruz Police Department. From there the group marched to the RCNV, chanting along the way, "Hands up, Don't shoot!"

Other chants during the march included, "Hey hey, ho ho, racist cops have got to go," "No justice, no peace. Fuck the police," "No more pigs in our community. Don't shoot," and, "We want justice."

Groups participating in the Town Clock rally included the NAACP of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Community Coalition to Overcome Racism (SCCCCOR), the Cabrillo College Justice League, and the RCNV.

Santa Cruz Town Clock

Santa Cruz Police Department