Rally for Racial Justice Takes Place in Princeton Tuesday Night

Members of the Princeton community outraged by the decision of a St. Louis County, Missouri grand jury not to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown took to the streets for a non-violent rally Tuesday night.

The rally, co-sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action, was held at Tiger Park in front of Palmer Square on Nassau Street.

“A coalition of organizations, religious leaders and local residents are organizing the rally to express their deep concerns about the racial injustices occurring in Ferguson and all over America,” according to a post on peacecoaltion.org.

The event was also sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.

The rally wasn’t the only one in Princeton following the announcement. About 300 Princeton University students marched through the streets on Monday night, according to Planet Princeton. They chanted ”No justice, no peace,” and ”Hands up, don’t shoot.”

Tuesday’s rally was planned prior to the verdict, and would’ve taken place no matter the decision.

“Either way, indictment or not, we will continue build a nationwide movement to stop the militarization of the police and work towards a just society, free of violence and inequality,” rally organizer and Princeton resident Mary Ellen Marino said.

The announcement not to indict was made Monday night, and was followed by rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, and peaceful protests in other locations throughout the country.

The attached image was posted on peacecoaltion.org.