Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — “Disarm the police! No justice, no peace!” protestors shouted at passing cars Thursday evening on the corner of State Street and Walnut Street. Cars, buses and even a police cruiser honked in support of the 75 protestors, who held signs showing solidarity with Ferguson, Missouri, protestors outside of the Arise for Social Justice offices. The protest focused on police militarization, misconduct and racial profiling issues. Protestors read poetry, gave speeches and led songs with a microphone hooked up to a loudspeaker on the corner. One organizer said that at a similar rally, a man came up to him and said police misconduct issues might be important in Ferguson, but don’t exist in Springfield. “If you or someone you know has been the victim of police violence or misconduct in the last year, raise your hand,” he called into the microphone. At least two dozen hands went up in the crowd.