Protest held downtown

By Joe Gorman

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Darrell Smith and Jeffrey Redden said they want change and justice.

So the two and a couple of other friends staged a peaceful protest early Thursday at 20 Federal Place, sitting on the floor in the lobby as a way to protest recent decisions by grand juries in Ferguson, Mo., and New York City that did not indict white police officers who were involved in the deaths of black men.

Both stressed that what they want most is peace between people of all races.

“I just wanted to do something for peace and to stop the violence,” Smith, of Warren said.

“We want to make a better world,” added Redden, of Youngstown.

About 20 people gathered around Smith and Redden and at least two other friends, filming them on their cellphones. Four city police officers also were inside the building but they stayed at a distance and just watched and chatted among themselves. They left a short time later.

In Ferguson last month, a grand jury decided not to indict a police officer, Darren Wilson, in the Aug. 9 death of Michael Brown. Brown, who was unarmed, was shot after a confrontation in which Wilson claimed Brown was going for Wilson’s gun.

Wednesday in New York City, a grand jury declined to indict a police officer on charges in the July 17 death of Eric Garner, who officers were trying to arrest for selling untaxed cigarettes. At one point during the scuffle to arrest him, Garner was put in a chokehold and told officers he could not breathe before he died. A coroner ruled his death a homicide.

Both men said they were angry with the decisions.

“There’s no justice,” Smith said. “If a black man goes out there and does something, they’re going to go to jail,” Smith said. “When are we going to get justice from somebody?”

Another man who joined in the protest, Markeith Grays, said, “It makes us feel like we ain’t got a chance.”

They said they want to have other events that will draw people from across the city of all races to promote peace and understanding.

“I’m going to take it further,” Smith said. “It starts today.”