Many gathered in front of the Triple S Food Mart on Wednesday evening where Alton Sterling was shot and killed by policemen early Tuesday morning.
The streets were filled with both cars and attendees in every direction on N. Foster Drive and Fairfields Ave.
Traffic was at a standstill in front of the convenience store where many came together with family and friends for a vigil for Sterling. Sterling was shot and killed by Baton Rouge Police Department officers early Tuesday morning after an anonymous person reported Sterling pointed a gun at someone.
State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, was in attendance and took the lead at the vigil next to the mother of Sterling’s children. The representative spoke to the crowd about the absence of other city officials including Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden.
The vigil included lighting candles and releasing balloons. The balloons were released for Sterling as the crowd shouted, “Alton Sterling’s life mattered.”
The crowd also chanted “We are Baton Rouge,” throughout the streets.
University business administration graduate student Vani’Tra Braud joined others in the community at the vigil.
Braud said she hasn’t commented on the issue because she has no words for what has happened.
“We have to do better, be better people because our world is ending right before us,” Braud said. “I don’t just fear for our black men. I fear for all our people. I fear for all minorities. Hell, I even fear for the majority because we’re getting tired and angry and retaliation is forming … I don’t want another one of our people to become a tragic memory or hashtag.”
Braud also said she is scared to bring another life into the world not knowing what the future holds. She urges others to continue to “fight for justice” and for the future while also staying safe.
After balloons were released at the site, the crowd prayed. Gospel music played to represent the absence of Sterling had not gone unnoticed but that the crowd understood he was in a better place.
The first song played was Fred Hammond’s “We’re Blessed.”
Sharod McClendon, a University mass communication and African and African American studies junior, said he attended the vigil with friends because they wanted to “stand with the Baton Rouge Community as they seek justice.”
“This could have been me, my father, brother, uncle or friend and for that it scares me to know that this happened so close to me,” McClendon said, “and it angers me to see police officers abuse their power once again and murder a black man while being detained.”
The Atlanta, Georgia native said attending the vigil opened his eyes to being more involved in fighting for justice.
Different attendees came forward to speak in front of the crowd. Their speeches included spoken word, giving condolences and speaking on how the incident affected their lives.
A memorial for Sterling could also be found in front of the store. It consisted of balloons, teddy bears, signs and other items.
University political science senior Terri Smith was also in attendance. Smith said that attending the vigil was indescribable.
“It was one thing watching the videos, but being there at the site of the incident felt unreal,” Smith said. “It was great to see how much support Alton had. So many people were there expressing their anger, passion, and desire for change. We’ve been watching this happen in other places … But this time WE are the story. And I hope we make it a good one.”
Attendee Patrick Holmes was one of the protesters expressing his “anger, passion and desire to change.”
“I relate to [the incident] because I’ve been beaten by the police a couple of times,” Holmes said. “I feel like they do a lot of things they don’t have to and they prey on young black men.”
There will be a sign making and info meeting Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the LSU African American Cultural Center. On Sunday, there will be a peaceful protest at 4 p.m. at the Baton Rouge Police Department Building.