Youth March 4 Black Freedom takes place in downtown Sacramento

A group of about 200 protesters took part in a Fourth of July march from Tower Bridge to the steps of the Capitol on Saturday to denounce police brutality and promote the ideas of freedom and independence in the United States.

Protesters gathered at noon at West Sacramento’s River Walk Park to participate in the Youth March 4 Black Freedom.

Youth organizers from the Valley and the Bay Area said they wanted to expand the protest against injustice for people of color and empower youth within the movement to expression their ideas of what change is important to them on a day not merely meant to celebrate America’s creation.

At Tower Bridge, demonstrators paused to kneel and repeat the names of Black victims of police violence. At the Capitol they joined another group of protesters from the March for Liberty & Justice For All, organized by Protest for Change Sacramento, who had started at Fremont Park in midtown.

Many at the event said they were drawn to protest because of the significance of supporting the Black community on a holiday they believe does not necessarily celebrate it.

“We think it’s unfair to be celebrating something that’s not true. We’re celebrating freedom, when not everyone is free,” said Alexis Dozier, a student from Sacramento who participated in the protests.

“The national conversation should be ... about the real truths of America” she said, pointing out the thread of violence against of communities of color throughout American history.

Others, like high school student Justin Lynch of Dublin said he came to Sacramento to make his voice heard at the seat of state government. He said he hoped politicians took notice and worked to eliminate inequities highlighted since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on the last national holiday, Memorial Day.

This story was originally published July 4, 2020 at 5:00 PM.