Hundreds gather in rally to support Tianna Arata in San Luis Obispo
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Hundreds gathered outside the San Luis Obispo Courthouse during Tuesday's news conference and the "Free Tianna" rally.
"We are here to stand with Tianna Arata ... we drove up from Los Angeles recognizing that we need people all throughout this country to stand for the value of black life ... to firm Black Lives Matter and that’s exactly what sister Tiana was doing," said Melina Abdullah with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.
"This is America and this is the land of law and order in the home of the free and the brave," said Tim Foster who participated in a counter rally across the street.
Tianna Arata was among several speakers who shared a message about unity.
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell says she was glad to see how the events unfolded today.
As District Attorney Dan Dow considers whether to file charges, people are making their voices heard on what they think should happen.
"I support the DA call ... I support the police department ... I support Americans. Lives matter and we’re here to stop the extortion of this town of San Luis Obispo," said Foster.
"My hope is that the charges will be dropped against Tianna Arata ... my hope is that the community will be inspired to continue to stand up. My hope is that Black Lives will actually Matter throughout San Luis Obispo and in this country," said Abdullah.
