Organizer of Black Lives Matter march holds community meeting in hopes to spark change

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The organizer of Saturday's eight mile march and protest from North Fresno to Clovis held a community meeting Thursday night at a local church to spark a change in dialogue.

"They don't stand here for us you can kick me the (Expletive) out, because I don't care," said Justice Medina, activist.

Fiery words from Medina at Thursday's city council meeting.

The 19-year-old was behind Saturday's protest at Blackstone and Shaw lashed out council members.

Medina listed the names of Fresno Police Officers involved in officer involved shootings.

He said his emotions got to the best of him after asking council this question that went unanswered. Medina was eventually escorted out.

His encounter comes just one day after he was arrested and cited for holding Saturday's rally. Video posted to Youtube show he was warned about leading the crowd into the streets, but did so anyway.

Thursday evening though was a much calmer approach. His efforts to help end what he calls are recent incidents of police brutality continued at Liberty Christian Fellowship Church. That's where he held a community meeting to talk about ways to effectively make change.

Councilmember Oliver Baines said conversations like this need to take place more often to really inspire change. And he said he will be doing something similar with mayor Ashley Swearengin and pastors this Saturday.

"I think it's going to be really important moving forward that we have a unified discussion where all side can contribute and discuss and following that we plan to have town hall events where we plan to have further community discussions."