"One, it's important because since the beginning of this, I've been talking to the parents and the lawyers. We said we would come when they needed us and there's no better day to come than when the young people, the generation of Brother Anderson, are standing up, demanding justice. To show that we in the national civil-rights community are watching and supporting them. I think this a clear sign that the 21st century is going to have accountability and freedom fighters of this generation. This young man was killed, but they tried to act like it was a sickle-cell trait. This is an absolute disgrace."

The Rev. Al Sharpton

I'm here today because a young man was essentially killed and there's been no action taken. You see action taken on other things and we just want to make sure that justice is served for this young man."

Jessica Larche, 21,
FAMU, broadcast
journalism

"We're here for the rally because justice has not been served. Yes, a couple of people resigned from their positions, but we need more, we need more than just the autopsy report; there's more that just has to be done and we are here today to just basically prove our point that we will not rest until it's over."

Rosalind Lewis, 21,
Miami, FSU,
international affairs
and Spanish

"I'll tell you why I'm here today: Because we will not wait. And justice has not been served. Justice delayed is justice denied."

Danyel Shackelford,
TCC student body
president, Chipley,
English

"This is a beautiful day for the state of Florida for so many people who have invested interests and care to fight (for) justice. Hopefully the people who are decision makers of the state will recognize the empathy of the people of the state and ensure that justice is provided. Justice delayed is justice denied. It's absolutely unacceptable. We have a responsibility to this community, and we're here to stand up and ensure that this never happens to another person in this state again."

Ramon Alexander,
FAMU student body
president, political
science, Tallahassee

"Just to support, nothing else, you know. What they're doing out here is something that's needed to be done a long time ago for a lot of different things. It's just not about this."

Patrick Smith,
political science,
FAMU, California

"I'm here to support Martin and see that justice is served for Martin and his family."

Ashley Lewis, Atlanta,
FAMU, business
administration

"It's time for something to happen! We want answers and we want them now."

Derek Bookman, FSU,
English, Havana

"A thousand people have come out here to support the effort pertaining to a young Mr. Martin Lee Anderson, who in January was beaten to death by guards, and the incident was subsequently covered up by the people we put in place to protect us and they're trying to cover it up. We're not going to stand for it. So everyone has come out here from TCC, FSU and FAMU and all around the community because we're not going to stand for this. If we let this pass, who knows what might happen in the future.”

Andrew Collins,
Atlanta, FAMU,
business administration

"I'm here for the cause. I'm here because I'm an advocate of justice."

Ariana Burgess, FAMU,
graduating
chemistry major

"We're here to fight for Martin Lee Anderson; he still hasn't received any justice and we're here fighting for that."

Remington Noble,
FAMU, business, Atlanta

"I'm here for justice."

Terrisa James, FAMU,
Fort Lauderdale,
broadcast journalism

"We have to be aggressive and demand justice."

Andre' Shaw II,
Orlando, FAMU,
psychology

"I'm here to speak out on the injustice of Martin Lee Anderson and to get some results and hopefully make some changes."

Glen Taylor, FSU,
Baltimore, sociology
and psychology

"I came out here to support the efforts and recognize what's going in the world. Things really haven't changed that much since the '60s. Tallahassee has to wake up and realize that there are things going on here and be culturally aware and culturally sensitive to the places that we are in the world right now."

Chaz Davis, FSU, 21,
Virginia, English and
African-American
studies

"We're here to make the world and community see that we are not going to be taken advantage of as far as the student justice system. We're here to make a statement that there has to be change and there has to be change now. This is an example that we can have shine for years to come."

Martin Reese, FSU,
Deltona, marketing
and studio art

"Justice is not turning your back on a little boy who was beaten like a ragdoll. Justice is not sitting on your high horse and doing nothing. Justice is not thinking that maybe after a while, we will just quietly go away. Our justice is coming. Martin Lee's Anderson's justice is coming, and we're going to celebrate when that day comes. Trust me, it's coming."

Ismail Peterson, FAMU,
Detroit, business

"I am so happy to be here. I have never experienced anything like this before. Look around, everyone has come together for Martin Lee Anderson. We are not violent and we are not disrespectful, we just want a resolution, and we're not giving up until we get a fair one."

Lauren Michaels, 19,
FSU, sociology

"I am here because I believe that with power and determination, great things can happen. This is going to turn out right. Justice will be served, and those in the wrong will be dealt with accordingly. I'm not worried because this matter is in God's hands, and He may not answer when you call Him, but He always shows up on time. He's gonna show up and fix it all."

Alex Ragland, 20,
TCC, English, Tampa

"Rest well, Martin, and don't you worry. You will see justice."

Kelly Winters, 20,
FAMU, pharmacy,
Texas

"I'm here on behalf of Martin and his family. I just can't imagine what he went through. I'm hurting over this, we all are hurting over this. But we will be heard. We will speak our minds and sing and pray and join together. Please, just do the right thing - that's all we want, for those in power to do the right thing."

Benjamin Central,
21, FAMU,
elementary education,
South Carolina

"This is not a joke. This is not a test. A life was taken and someone has to pay."

Shirley Laurals, 21,
FSU, marketing,
New Jersey

- compiled by staff
writer Desiree Pulley

Originally published April 22, 2006

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060422/NEWS01/604220328/1010/NEWS01