More than 80 people gathered at Lincoln University for Equal Protection Rally just before sundown on Monday.
The event in Jefferson City was equal parts demonstration and march for the group #JusticeforMichaelBrown. The group started after the people of Ferguson started protesting Officer Darren Wilson shooting of the unarmed young man. The attempt to organize the event began at 12 a.m on Monday, said Kesha Nelson, event organizer and secretary for the local NAACP chapter.
The group met at the Soldiers Memorial Plaza on the LU campus. Before the march they were addressed by multiple groups. Even Lincoln University Chief of Police Bill Nelson spoke a few words.
"Lest we not forget we were not always in the position that we are in," Nelson said to the crowd. "And I can remember as a small child growing up in a segregated environment with segregated schools, and not having any rights, per se, at all. So we have come a long way, but we all know that doesn't mean the struggle is over."
Individuals unassociated with any particular group also addressed the crowd.
"I was in Ferguson last weekend marching Saturday night with the people," said Nicole Saltzman, assistant professor of social work. "It was, in many ways, the most wonderful moving experience of my life and in other ways it has made this whole tragedy much more traumatic for me. It may feel like a small thing for us in this quite and calm community and walk a couple of blocks, but it is so important to the people there to know they are not alone."
Saltzman said she was tired of the way the situation in Ferguson is being portrayed in the national spotlight. The protests are peaceful with people of all colors sharing food and water, and many of the incidents of looting were no where near the few blocks that police had cordoned off from traffic for protestors, she said.
"Most of what you see on television is not the full story," said Rev. Cassandra Gould to the crowd. "I have seen it up close and personal. It has been peaceful protest and the police have incited riots and that is not what I read on Facebook, that is what I witnessed myself up close and personal."
After the rally, the crowd began the walk to the Missouri Capitol shouting "Hands up! Don't shoot!" and "No justice, no peace." Some of the passing cars would stop in curiosity to question the group. In response, the marchers would tell them to abandon the car and join them in marching.
"We expressed love and harmony, and a desire to be together," said Nimrod Chapel, local NAACP president. "I think we should continue the call to end racial profiling to ensure that equal protection under the law is a reality and is taken seriously, not only by state-wide elected officials, but by local elected officials. By November if that doesn't happen then we will start to get some new officials that will respect the rights of citizens."
Loud cries for justice and equality bounced off of the walls along High Street. Some bystanders shook their heads in disapproval and shouted "We want justice too." Others put their hands up in what is called the Michael Brown "don't shoot" pose.
Once at the steps of the Capitol, the marchers screamed their chants one last time before thanking each other and calling it a night.