“Black and Brown Lives Matter” Vigil responds to Ferguson, Eric Garner protests

We’ve heard these rallying cries before, from Los Angeles to New York City; protesters chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot.”

Now, we hear those poignant shouts here in our valley.

“I feel the need of the world for more justice,” said Jerry Meneses-Egoveno of Mexico.

“We are representing all of those who are peacefully protesting and allowing their voices to be heard,” said Pastor Tahlib McMicheaux of First Community Baptist Church.

Reverend Suzanne Marsh said she organized the “Black and Brown Lives Matter” vigil because she was tired of local communities sitting in silence.

“I wanted to show here that we’re standing in solidarity even if we just had one night, of one vigil,” Marsh said.

It was a vigil marked by prayer, remembrance and a call for action.

Marsh said the recent grand jury decisions in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases may have sparked a renewed civil rights movement nationwide, but they don’t define it.

“Police violence is only one component of it and it’s a symptom of a system that does not value black and brown lives,” Marsh claims.

We asked these peaceful protesters what they believe the solution is.

“I believe the first step is us being out here and standing together,” said Melissa Rodriguez of Indio.

“As a community all that we can do is be the best human beings we can be,” Meneses-Egoveno said.