A Peaceful Ferguson Protest At UMES

Dozens of students gathered Tuesday night at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to protest the grand jury decision not to indict now-former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

The peaceful demonstration unfolded in stark contrast to the all-out riots in Missouri last week.

“I feel like it’s an opportunity for us to have a voice and to make a difference,” said Dwayne Jones, a student at UMES.

While the event was peaceful, it was not without passion. Dressed in black to show solidarity, students held signs as they marched from the Student Services Center to the Frederick Douglass Library. “No justice, no peace!” they chanted as they walked. “Black Lives Matter” and “Stop Police Brutality,” read the signs.

To many, the grand jury decision is just part of a much larger issue, the divide between police and civilians, especially young black men.

“Right now, I feel like that relationship is just like oil and water,” added Jones.

But while these young men feel short-changed by the criminal justice system, they say if their relationship with police is going to change, everyone needs to make an effort.

“I feel as if for us to do something as civilians, we should make ourselves less threatening, not only as black men, but as people in general,” said freshman Owanaemi Davies.

Dr. Kirkland Hall joined the University’s Chapter of the NAACP in 1978. On Tuesday, he commended the students for their courage. He also called them to action.

“Get involved in the political process!” he said, driving his already-powerful voice through a microphone. “Write to your Congressmen! Demand changes in police protocol! Demand body cameras!”

Students 47 ABC spoke with all agreed that body cameras for law enforcement officers would be a good idea.

On Monday, President Obama requested $263 million from Congress. That money would go toward police training and a reported 50,000 body cameras for officers across the country to wear.