Albany

A peaceful crowd staged a passionate protest at local and federal government buildings on Tuesday, a night after a grand jury exonerated the white police officer who shot a black teenager in Ferguson, Mo.

About 350 people rallied on the steps of City Hall and then marched to the Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building. They denounced the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson and hurled scorn at a system they said was stacked against people of color.

"We're here today because Michael Brown didn't get justice," University at Albany student Shakeia Brome said. "We knew he wouldn't get justice."

The 5 p.m. rally was organized by Hands Up — Solidarity Response to Grand Jury Verdict on Mike Brown's Murder and Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration.

Members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany dressed in yellow and held a yellow banner that read "Standing on the Side of Love."

Others held signs with the message "Black Lives Matter" painted in black on yellow hearts.

"Hey, hey, ho, ho, these killer cops have got to go," protesters chanted as the lively crowd moved through downtown on a mild night in late November.

Standing beneath decorated wreaths at City Hall, attorney Mark Mishler argued that Albany needs to establish stronger civilian oversight of its police department by giving the Citizens' Police Review Board the power to subpoena evidence in cases in which officers may have abused power.

"The problems aren't limited to the streets of Ferguson," Mishler said. "They are here as well."

At the federal building, the message broadened. Social worker Ariela Perez-Wallach of Albany used a loudspeaker to call for an end to police brutality and mass incarceration, as well as for creating job opportunities and housing for African-Americans.

Similar rallies were held around the country in the aftermath of Monday night's announcement in the high-profile case.

As Brome walked down North Pearl Street, she said the decision not to indict Wilson signaled that black lives do not matter.

"I'm coming to realize that I have to fight for my legitimacy," said Brome, who is from Brooklyn and is a member of the Students Revolutionary Coalition.

Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, the Albany Social Justice Center and Citizen Action of New York were among the other organizations represented.

As Ruth Ford of Schenectady watched the rally in the city where she used to live, she mourned the loss of life.

"I just think it's sad," she said. "A child is a child."

dyusko@timesunion.com • 518-454-5353 • @DAYusko