Protesters gather at Capitol in support of Brown, Garner

Jennifer Lawson, 32, speaks at the front of the group she cosponsors, All Action, which she calls a "new, local grassroots group."
Jennifer Lawson, 32, speaks at the front of the group she cosponsors, All Action, which she calls a "new, local grassroots group."

photo

Mondale Robinson, co-sponsor of local grassroots organization, "Action Now" speaks on the capitol steps Saturday.

About 100 protesters marched to the state Capitol Saturday in support of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

Organized by a group called All Action, co-sponsored by Jessica Lawson, 32, of Little Rock, the group walked up capital shouting that they would stand together, and carried signs with slogans declaring their support for Garner and Brown.

They gathered on the steps of the Capitol where the protestors sang together before Lawson stood and spoke at a podium.

Lawson told the protesters that they were "all action, and not just words."

Another co-sponsor of the group, Mondale Robinson, gave out specific demands for Little Rock police, including mandated time for police to get to know all the neighborhoods of the city, and police department community outreach program.

Robinson told the protesters to follow in the steps of Martin Luther King, Jr. when he told Washington protesters to go back to places like Mississippi and spread the word of protest.

Robinson said he is scared for his nephews and told his sister to warn them to stay away from cops in order to keep them safe.

"They need to know it has never been illegal to kill a black man in this country," Robinson shouted from the podium to a roar of yells and applause from the protestors.

A Capitol police officer confirmed that the group had a permit to protest, and they have been peaceful since it began at about 1 p.m. The protesters began to disperse at about 2 p.m. without further incident.

Brown was shot to death by Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson and Garner died in New York while police tried to arrest him on charges of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes, the Associated Press previously reported.

The deaths of the men have lead to weeks of protests in cities across the United States, including a protest in Washington D.C. Saturday.

Read Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events