Eight days and 250 miles later, a group of politicians, activists, students and clergy are scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. sometime this afternoon. After leaving New York City on foot last Monday, more than 100 Justice League NYC demonstrators will reach their final destination to protest police brutality and the current treatment of juvenile delinquents. Upon arriving at the capital, the group will rally on the National Mall and be joined by special guests like Danny Glover and Jussie Smollett. Tomorrow, leaders are scheduled to meet with lawmakers to propose steps to eliminate police brutality.
“Police brutality isn’t new. All across the country, the hood has been at odds with the police for as long as there have been hoods,” said Philadelphia rapper Freeway, who is scheduled to perform at today’s rally, in a press release. “But in 2015, the issue has become an epidemic, and I feel it’s only right that I use my voice and influence to help wake up the community and the leadership.”
During tomorrow’s informational session with members of Congress, organizers of the march will announce their demands:
• The restoration of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection Act, which expired in 2007, but would provide rehabilitation to youth
• The amending of the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, which currently allows state agencies to receive weapons
• The enactment of the End Racial Profiling Act, which would federally prohibit racial profiling
“We need the national spotlight and the international spotlight to be on criminal justice reform and police accountability, and this march is basically meant to do that,” march organizer Tamika Mallory said to New York City’s ABC affiliate. “You can’t get racism out of people’s minds, but you can certainly train them that it’s not accepted in this country.”