The recent national stories about police brutality spurred a series of protests on Friday night. A gathering at Bidwell and Elmwood drew a large number of demonstrators as well as a significant police presence. However, the actions Friday night began in a neighborhood that is much closer to the issue of police brutality. Nicholas Rice, a member of Ignite the Youth, was at the corner of Bailey and Kensington Avenues, where he says police tactics have been questioned in the past. He stated that changes are needed with government and police actions.
"We hope to accomplish a whole civil reform. The way that the police and the government are handling people is absolutely absurd. They are meant to be here to serve and protect us, and a lot of people everyday are feeling more and more unsafe, and I think now they are starting to stand up for that."
Rice contends that the choke hold death of Eric Garner was the tipping point in setting off the demonstrations.
