Protest over Starbucks arrests by Philadelphia police: Recap
The protest came hours after Police Commissioner Richard Ross publicly apologized to the men, backtracking on his earlier comments that defended the officers.
Protesters convened outside Philadelphia police headquarters and marched to City Hall late Thursday afternoon to rally against the decision of officers to arrest two black men at a Center City Starbucks last week, an incident that has sparked national outrage.
The march was organized by POWER, an interfaith group that helped lead Monday's sit-in at the 18th and Spruce Streets location where the incident occurred last Thursday. Earlier this week, members of the group met with Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson and chairman Howard Schultz about the incident.
Thursday's protest came hours after Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross publicly apologized to the men, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, who were arrested for sitting in the store without making a purchase. Ross initially said "officers did absolutely nothing wrong," a comment that drew outrage from activists and stirred POWER to hold Thursday's march.
Here is a recap of the event.
At City Hall, protesters call for meeting with Mayor Kenney
Kenney issues apology to men and praises Ross on Twitter
"I want to commit our city to healing together," Kenney wrote while the march was underway.
Protesters chant and march toward City Hall
‘We’ve had enough of getting accosted … while black’
Some activists demanded a sit-down meeting with police.
Commissioner Ross ‘showed his true colors’ when he defended police, marchers say
Ross' apology was too little too late to some activists.
Others protested how many officers responded to the Starbucks last Thursday.
>>READ MORE: Philly looking into other incidents at same Starbucks where two black men were arrested
>>READ MORE: Men arrested at Philadelphia Starbucks appear on GMA: 'It's not just a black people thing, this is a people thing'