‘National day of rage’ observed in San Diego

It was billed as a national day of rage, where people in 37 cities across America marched to protest the deadly police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. And San Diego was no exception.

About a hundred people marched from Balboa Park to the Hall of Justice to protest the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown. 

Police in Ferguson, Missouri, say two Sundays ago the 18-year-old was shot by officer Darren Wilson after a confrontation took place. Brown’s family tells a different story, that he was shot after he put his hands into the air.

“We just want to show our support,” said march organizer Jacqueline Phillips. “The community cares. There have been handful of other officer-involved shootings of unarmed men since Michael Brown was shot… We want something done about it.”

“We’re trying to get the message out,” said protester Chris McKay. “Police forces all across this nation have become more or less a military… because of all their equipment.”

“We want to make sure that we’re able to make a change in our community,” said Duke Boyett, “because a lot of people are afraid to even go out or get pulled over by a police officer.”

That sentiment wasn’t held by everybody at this march, however.

“Personally I’m not (afraid),” said Chris Brewton. “When you’re up to something you shouldn’t be then maybe some people have to be fearful, but I think I’m cautious more than anything.”

So, has anything positive emerged from the death of Michael Brown?

“Something positive already has,” said McKay. “People have woken up more, and more people are waking every day about the problems going on in their communities.”