NAACP to host protest Thursday

Community activist Quanell X said the verdict was "unbelievable."

HOUSTON – Houston's mayor called for calm at a protest at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse Thursday afternoon.

Community leaders gathered on the steps of the local NAACP office near downtown Houston Wednesday to say they had lost confidence in the criminal justice system. Quanell X of the New Black Panther Party and the NAACP publically released the videotape of the beating that city leaders and the district attorney wanted kept out of view.

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"They've got a right to do whatever God puts in their heart for them to do," said Quanell X.  "We look like fools telling our people to put faith in that system."

The protest is planned for Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin Street in downtown Houston.  The Harris County Sheriff's office said it planned to have more deputies in place at the courthouse.  The Houston Police Department had not announced its plans.

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