Justice for Chinedu and Peninsula DSA Hold March For Justice

Photos: Leon Kunstenaar

On June 7th, in a week when white Americans are coming face to face with disturbing facts about their country, Justice for Chinedu and Peninsula Democratic Socialists of America added to the national discomfort. They staged a protest starting at Capuchino High School in San Bruno, ending up with a rally in front of the Millbrae City Hall and police department's substation.

They gathered to demand justice for Chinedu Okobi, murdered by San Mateo County Sheriff's Deputies in late 2018. The demonstrators sported masks and gloves but came out despite the COVID-19 epidemic, saying that the Pandemic of Racism must be fought on the streets.

It was sunny and windy as about 300 demonstrators gathered on a hill at the high school to hear speakers. They then marched to the El Camino Real and the site of Okobi's murder, with signs demanding justice and the defunding of the police. They paused for a moment of silence. By the time they reached the Millbrae police station their number increased to about 500.

Arriving at the police station they quickly erected a flowered altar with Okobi's picture, then listened to about a dozen more impassioned speakers. Most memorable was a little girl who clutched her stuffed bear and holding the microphone tightly asked for justice. Someone else delivered a jarring message: Sympathy is not enough, you have to become a coconspirator in the fight against racism.

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