A March and Rally for Michael Nida II

We had our very first march and rally for Michael on 01/28/2012.  We met at his memorial on Paramount Blvd. & Imperial Hwy at 12:00p.m. and the supporters just kept pouring in!


Douglas Kauffman of The Answer Coalition, did such an Awesome job of organizing everything and helping us spread the word far and wide. We were such a diverse group of people! So many different nationalities, from all walks of life, from babies and young children being pushed along in strollers and pulled in wagons, to older ones, who were determined to be there no matter what, being escorted along the way in wheelchairs. We even had supporters marching on their paws, wearing their signs!  We were all there to represent one love for Michael and to show Downey PD and the Downey City Council, that we will no longer tolerate their silence, ignorance or neglect on this pressing matter! We demand Justice for Michael!


Before our March began, we had a rally, where Douglas Kauffman, Jubilee Shine, Damion Ramirez and a few others spoke out and led us all in a few chants for Michael's and Steven Bours' stolen lives and our mission to achieve justice for them.  Then with motivated hearts, anxious feet, signs held high and firmly in hand, we began our march.


Our March began on the corner of Paramount Blvd. and Imperial Hwy  and as soon as we crossed over Imperial Hwy, we took over the streets and chants of: "Who's streets.... Our streets", began, loud and clear!  Even a great number of passersby in their vehicles showed such a great amount of support, by honking their horns and shouting in support of our mission to justice for Mikey.


There were two Downey Police vehicles following us with loud speakers, telling us to move out of the streets, onto the sidewalks. However, we continued to march on steadily, as we all chanted in unison: "Downey PD...you are guilty"!  At best the Downey PD kind of ended up serving as traffic control for us, which is the very least they could have done.

So, we continued our marching and chanting, along with tons of supporters still honking and shouting from their vehicles, all the way down Paramount Blvd., up to Firestone Blvd. and up to Brookshire Avenue, where we then made a left to reach our rally destination...The Downey Police Station.


As we approached our destination,  with our heads held high, pride and Mikey in our hearts, we continued to chant as loud as we could: "Lock up Gilley, (the officer who murdered Michael), and throw away the key"!  As well as, "What do we want?....JUSTICE!  When do we want it?...NOW"! 


Then we arrived and had an absolutely amazing rally, right there in front of the Downey Police Station! Douglas Kauffman, as well as other awesome supporters from The Answer Coalition, various other coalitions and organizations spoke there, along with Michael's Mom's, Jean Thaxton and Maritza Odell and Michael's sisters, Terri Thaxton-Teramura and Susan Thaxton, accompanied by Michael's Dad, Jerry Thaxton and Michael's two brothers, Jerry Thaxton II and Greg Thaxton, who thanked everyone from the bottom of their hearts for coming out and showing their support.


It was such a beautiful thing to see so many people unselfishly take the time out of their own busy lives, to come and show support for Michael and his family and further strengthen and solidify their and our hope and resolve that no matter how long the road to justice for Michael Nida may be, we will walk a steady, straight path on that road and continue on it, undeterred, to it's end and beyond.


We love you Michael!
More photos available here: More pics..

                    

JUSTICE FOR MICHAEL NIDA II!

STOP THE USE OF LETHAL FORCE!