Peaceful protests held in Roanoke after grand jury decision

Peaceful protests held in Roanoke after grand jury decision (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Protests continue across the country in response to a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury decision.


They decided to not indict officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

After the decision was announced, hundreds of people poured into the streets, burning squad cars and businesses.

In Roanoke, a more peaceful gathering was held at the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial.

The organizer of the "peaceful prayer" in Roanoke said it was a catalyst to get the conversation started about how people can come together to create a better future.

The peaceful protest started with several prayers and continued with a brief song.

Afterward, people in Roanoke discussed issues that need to be addressed within the community.

Vincent Pierson showed his support because he feels he can have a strong impact.

"It's so important that young people get involved because you can get lost in the negativity with things going on as well you come out to things like this there's positivity there's prayer," Pierson said.

Sharief Jones organized the gathering to pray for the brown family and to bring the community together and find out ways to promote change.

"It starts in the community with everyone coming out and supporting one another it starts with home as well, with those combinations we can accomplish anything," Jones said.

The NAACP plans to have a community gathering Sunday at 4 at the MLK bridge.