"I trust that they will voice their disappointment in a civil and sensible manner and that we will go on from this," Houston Mayor Annise Parker said.

Parker and Police Chief Charles McClelland both said they disagreed with the verdict. McClelland said he has zero tolerance for officers using excessive force when handling a suspect.

Quanell X said the case never had a chance.

"We live in Houston, Harris County, with a 67.8 percent minority. You mean to tell me with that type of racial minority to it, you can't find one qualified minority to sit on the jury?" he said. "We all should be concerned because this is bigger than just Chad Holley. This is about putting the system on trial and holding it accountable."

Chad Holley now attends Cypress-Falls High School in northwest Harris County. Some of his classmates said they were not surprised, but they were upset.

"It does bother me, but it ain't nothing new," senior Earl Baty said.

"He wasn't fighting back," student Scott Ansley said. "They should not have kicked him in any way."

A police officer's son said officers sometimes go too far.

"I think cops take advantage of the situation if they don't see a camera," senior Christian Minner said.

A community meeting is being arranged for next week.

Many of the protesters said they planned to register to vote so they could voice their displeasure at the polls.