In New York City, the city of all cities, people from everywhere, all races, every age, came together in Times Square for one purpose, and it wasn’t to catch a cab or to shop. The people gathered for justice. It was Monday, Nov. 24, and everyone had just found out that a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer, Darren Wilson, had not been indicted for the murder of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen. According to multiple media sources, Wilson killed Brown on. Aug. 9 after shooting him six times. Protesters from everywhere flooded the streets of NYC blocking all the main streets in Times Square and brandishing huge signs with slogans such as “Don’t Shoot” or “We demand justice in AmeriKKKa” and screaming “How many children have you killed today? NYPD KKK.” The grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson was the catalyst for the rally, but the NYPD was also signaled out for its role in a similar instance where a suspect died at the hands of police. On July 17, Eric Garner died after Daniel Pantaleo, a NYPD police officer, put Garner in an apparent chokehold while four other officers restrained him. The NYPD medical examiner later found that a chokehold resulted in Garner’s death but also that Garner’s poor health was also a factor.

The officers in Times Square were in the awkward position of being a target of the protesters they were trying to disperse. The crowd’s rage, however, was too big to move off the streets. Walking with and through the crowds, I saw more than just people fighting for justice, I saw a cry for help from the people in our country, sick and fed up of the deep inequity caused by our criminal justice system.

On all police cars were labeled with the letters C, P, and R which stand for Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect. It may be on their patrol cars, but do all police officers really stand for these values in their daily practice? Not only have we been disrespected by the law, but we have also not been shown any courtesy or respect. Not only have police officers repeatedly taken away the sons and fathers to many, but the court system has neglected to bring these cases to trial..

I understand that policemen are good men hired to to protect all citizens and to make our country safe, but  killing an unarmed black male without there being any type of concern or questions asked was unprofessional and unjust. Michael Brown could have easily been my brother. Black lives matter.

*About a week after this protest on Dec. 3, a grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo.