(Priscilla Ortega, 14, (left) and her friends joined protesters in downtown Oakland on Nov. 25. Ortega said, "There's been a lot of young people that I know that have been killed, and I just don't feel like it's fair." )
Priscilla Ortega, 14, (left) and her friends joined protesters marching through downtown Oakland on Nov. 25. Ortega said, “There’s been a lot of young people that I know that have been killed, and I just don’t feel like it’s fair.”
The grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown did not surprise most people we spoke with in downtown Oakland. Here is what young people in Oakland had to say in response to the decision.
How are your community/family/friends reacting to #Ferguson?
Katelyn Ciprazo, 17
“My friends and I are angry. The verdict should have been decided guilty a while back.”
What’s the most crucial step to stopping police violence against youth in Ferguson?
James, 19
“I think the most crucial step to stop police violence in Ferguson is to take time to teach police officers not just in St.Louis but where they seem to be aggressive towards teenagers and young adults because of race and different views on how they should do things where they live. To teach officers how to speak to citizens on the street so they want have conflicts. “
Is there a movement against police violence in America? What does that look like to you?
Kasey Saeturn, 19
“I believe there is a movement against police violence in America because so many people have been affected by it. In particular many African Americans have been affected the most with the police violence. So many youth being killed and the police are just getting away with it which isn’t right at all. A movement against police violence would look like constant protest. I understand that many events have happened and till this day people are still protesting so that those that have fallen victim to police brutality can receive some justice.”
Young people gathered in front of Oakland City Hall to wait the grand jury’s announcement and to stand in solidarity with the people in Ferguson.