LANCASTER – Nearly two dozen local residents gathered in front of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Sunday afternoon for a rally and walk against police brutality and racial bias.
Titled “All Lives Matter! A Walk for Peace Down Lancaster Blvd.,” the event was organized in solidarity with protests sweeping across the nation after grand juries declined to indict police officers in the killings of two unarmed black men.
Eric Garner died July 17 in Staten Island, New York, after a police officer put him in an apparent chokehold. A grand jury on Dec. 3 decided not to indict the police officer who administered the chokehold. (Read more on the death of Eric Garner here.) Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot to death by a police officer Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Missouri. The circumstances surrounding that fatal shooting sparked nationwide debates and triggered violent protests when a grand jury in November decided not to indict the police officer for his actions. (Read more about the shooting of Michael Brown here.)
Local demonstrators on Sunday said both incidents should concern Antelope Valley residents.
“I have a son who’s 17 years old and it concerns me as a parent, basically, to be in fear for my son’s life,” said Lancaster resident Sahaya Wright. “This is not just a black and white issue, but it’s a human issue and it concerns a lot of parents, especially African-American parents.”
“I can understand how every black mother feels when their children are out and about, because until he is safe at home with me, I am not comfortable,” said Denise Ferguson, referencing her grandson. “A lot of people don’t understand that if your child is not of color.”
Denise Ferguson’s grandson, 19-year-old Seth Ferguson, organized Sunday’s rally.
The demonstrators held signs in front of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and chanted, “All lives matter!” as some passing motorists honked their horns in support. The diverse group of mostly young people chanted while marching westbound on Lancaster Boulevard to 10th Street West and eastbound on Lancaster Boulevard back to the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. There were no attempts at traffic disruption, vandalism or any of the other negative factors that plagued some of the protests in larger cities across the country.
Local deputies followed at a distance, but no assistance was needed because the rally began and ended peacefully. Lancaster Station Watch Commander Lt. Richard Martinez said he supported the demonstrators’ right to assemble and express themselves.
“The ability to petition your government for a redress of grievances is one of our basic constitutional rights and I’m a firm supporter in it,” Lt. Martinez said. “I would ask that it doesn’t devolve into something that inhibits the rights of other people to go about their day, but I’m fully in support of it.”
Not everyone supported the local demonstration.
An announcement about the rally on The AV Times’ Facebook page triggered nearly 200 mostly negative comments from Facebook readers. Community activist Miguel Coronado briefly attended the rally and voiced his disapproval.
“We have not had any kind of problems in the Antelope Valley of the sort that we’re having all over the country,” Coronado said, adding that he was “appalled” by the rally. “The sheriffs have done a wonderful job and the city leadership has also done a wonderful job, so I’m actually surprised and shocked that people would come out here and agitate like this,” Coronado said.
But rally organizer, Seth Ferguson, said the demonstration was a proactive effort by the younger generation to discourage police brutality in the Antelope Valley.
“I don’t feel like something has to happen in our community for us to get up and say that’s not okay,” Seth Ferguson said. “We don’t need to wait for it to happen here in Lancaster or in Palmdale for us to voice our opinion on the recent turmoil with the police and civilians.”
Seth Ferguson said racially bias problems existed in the Antelope Valley, and he said all local law enforcement officers should be required to wear body cameras to help ensure unbiased interactions with the public.
“We do not want a Mike Brown or Eric Garner or any unlawful act against AV citizens to go unseen,” Seth Ferguson said.
The Lancaster Station is one of four Sheriff’s patrol stations taking part in a six-month pilot program, which began in September, to evaluate the feasibility of using body worn cameras to record interactions with citizens, according to Lancaster Community Relations deputy Miguel Ruiz. Read more on the program here.
“Here at the Lancaster Station, we’ve had 30 of our own field personnel outfitted with the cameras on a voluntary basis,” Ruiz said, adding that more local deputies wanted to use body cameras. “But at this point, only 30 of them were given to us with the potential of more in the near future.”
“We’re currently in the research and development phase, as well as the field testing, so that our decision makers or policy makers can determine exactly which company and which model they want to proceed with in the future for long-term deployment,” Ruiz said.
Organizers said Sunday’s rally was the first of weekly demonstrations planned in front of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station to make a call for change — specifically a mandate that all local law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, equip officers with body cameras.
“If we bother them enough, hopefully they’ll see that we the people want this,” Seth Ferguson said.
Another rally will be held during the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 14, in front of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. To become involved, contact Seth Ferguson at 661-886-0685. For more pictures from Sunday’s rally, visit our Facebook page here.
–
HANDS DOWN DIE LIKE BROWN says
Youve got to be kidding me! There really are some stupid people all over this world. How the hell can you sit here and actually consider starting a protest to support anyone regardless of their race, gender, etc that has broken the law, then resisted arrest and ended up dying as a result of their own actions. Had they not broke the law the cops wouldnt have even been there. Had they not resisted arrest, they would still be alive today. But they chose to break the law and what happened from there was no one elses fault but their own. Put yourself in the officers shoes for a change. Protest in support for the men and women that serve and protect your dumb axxes everytime and anytime you need their help. How fair is it for anyone that works for living to have to deal with stupid bs like these officers face every single minute they clock in for work. How fair is it for them to have to put their life in jeopardy ever single time they step foot into a sheriffs vehicle and begin patrolling the streets for guys like Michael Brown. Gentle giant my axx. Watch the newest video tape that surfaced of Michael Brown sucker punching some old guy while hes got his back turned to Brown then continues to beat him while hes down. Then tell me how this gentle giant wasnt considered threatning to this officer that he tried to beat up while sitting in his police car and after robbing a store.All this garbage about “Hands up dont shoot” is pathetic.. I support our Sheriffs department and should start my own phrase to show my support. I’ll call it “Hands down, die like Brown”… and ill bet you ill have more supporters then only a couple dozen. Reason they didnt have much of a turn out is cuz the rest of this city is smarter then those that decided to join them in their protest march of idiocy. Dont do the crime and resist arrest and you wont have a problem. Learn to treat officers with respect and dont talk back then you arent gonna be treated like scum. This is just an excuse for the ghetto people of this country to go out and riot and pillage their town. As if the free hand outs their already given for welfare arent enough. Try doing like the rest of us people do and get a damn job. Take responsibility for your own actions and stop feeling sorry for the life youve chosen to live. There are plenty of people that at one time where ghetto just like you and decided to make a change in their lives. So yes it can be done. Doesnt matter what race you are. Your ghetto cuz you choose to be ghetto. Dont march up and down the street and try and get any simpathy from most of us here in this valley. Cuz we dont give 2 shats for bs. We support our sheriffs department and if need be we can march right up ur axxes to support our sheriff when the time comes that some idiot robs a store and resists arrest. Try rioting here in Lancaster and see how long it lasts before the residents and business owners defend what we got here. Take your pathetic protest somewhere else cuz we could care less as shown by the amount of idiots you all had out their in your march.
callitasitis says
In some countries they suit up their riot police in what I describe as samurai helmets and pads (KNP/Japanese’s national police) with shields and guess what water cannons on trucks. I think the feds should pay for that equipment “IF “they do not like the military looking protective vehicles. Maybe the Federal DOJ can make a package deal grant for body cameras, camera on all vehicles with full sound recording, water cannons, full riot protective gear. Maybe they can modify some old fire truck with the water cannons. **Cold water can sure put a chilling effect on HOT tempers then we can save the O.C. canisters for another day.
Done says
The should start an organization called “The Future of Whiny Liberalism for Peace” FOWLP. The can get Xavier Flores to be their spokesman
Danny says
This is a joke, right.
How about the other police shootings the last few days no one protesting those wonder why.
As long as people protest this the greater the divide.
callitasitis says
Body camera should be worn by ALL LEO state, county, city and federal. ALL deputies ( both uninformed and plain clothes) , parking enforcement, parole agents, deputy probation officers, police officers, CHP, community service officers, park rangers enforcement, code enforcement, DA investigators, FBI, ATF, Home land security, border patrol, US Customs, TSA. I would like to see ALL court hearing both federal and state also recorded. The thing I really love is it on the record and we can review it over and over again. Those dash cams are great; I think the camera will cut down on all the nonsense law suit and settlement us the taxpayers’ payout. We hear it all the time about he said / she said stuff. I support the Federal Government move to fund it all.
Greg says
Hear hear!
kay says
It was just a matter of time….
valleygirl says
Really? How about if Seth and his band of merry mischief makers do something constructive with their time…like get jobs.
eryrox5 says
Yup. Thats the word of the day….job. J-O-B.
Nancy P says
Didn’t the Arrest Logs disappear at this time last year?
Bob S says
Finally!! A good use for Raymond Perris’ Boulevard to Nowhere.
William says
@Bob S
Whaddya mean? The blvd goes from ‘here to there and back again’.
That is amazing considering Rex had anything to do with it.
Heath says
This was basic a bunch of teens wanting to be like everyone else and hoping that he mainstream media would come and make them famous.
Xavier Flores says
The young person who organized the rally and walk for peace deserves to be commended for his efforts, they are the actions of a brave and caring individual. Those who marched with him also deserve recognition and our support. The way they conducted themselves and the goal of their march is inspirational. It is very heartening to see youth in the AV concerned about social issues impacting us all and committed enough to act on their principles.
Today, we read that the new Sheriff is considering the creation of a civilian review board to look into issues of police misconduct. This is something people have been clamoring for 40 to 50 years. It is vastly overdue and together with body cameras will go a long way in ensuring humane treatment by those sworn to protect us. It should also promote more trust and foment a better relationship between residents and the Sheriff’s Department.
mark says
why don’t you people stop listening to the bs media. a punk is a punk. these punks bit off more than they could chew. don’t break the law and you will never have a problem. get a life.
Just Saying says
Easy enough. You look like a punk to me. How many policemans bullets would it take to stop you from running for your life?
Mark says
don’t have a need to run, I didn’t rob a store. don’t have time. I work for a living.
mark says
And I don’t have to worry about being put in a choke hold. I have what these punks don’t. RESPECT and I am smart enough to know that if I do what’s asked, I get to move along. pretty simple.
Danny says
Great post
Anon says
Lol… sorry but brown and garner botg brought it on themselves. Leave it to the idiots to make other idiots the face of their movement…
10 dog says
Look to JESUS this the only way there will. Be pease! John 3:16