UPDATE: Sadly even though everything I experienced was completely peaceful, it appears that some forces would not have it end that way.  As I sit at Youth Radio headquarters--just 3 blocks from City Hall-- I'm listening to the buzzing of helicopters overhead. An hour and a half after the protest ended, after our production team left the rally, a small group of protesters turned violent.  I'm saddened that the peaceful rally I witnessed might not be remembered that way. 

ORIGNAL STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This evening another peaceful rally went down in support of Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old was shot and killed by a BART police officer on New Year’s Day. The rally took place in Downtown Oakland where just one week ago angry protestors vandalized cars and local businesses.  Today's vibe was much different though.
The protest began at 4 PM in from of Oakland City Hall where community organizers, Grant's family members, musical artists, members of the clergy, and Oakland mayor Ron Dellums addressed the crowd. Supporters chanting "I am Oscar Grant" marched to an Alameda County Administrative building where young people sang and read poetry, and made repeated calls for justice before returning to city hall. While people marched volunteers made sure businesses were not being damaged by forming a human line through the sidewalks.

 

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