Pasadena Leaders Say They Have Their Own Trayvon, Rally at City Hall

More than 100 demonstrators rallied in front of the steps of city hall on Tuesday in support of justice for an unarmed teen that was killed by Pasadena Police on March 24th.

By Jorge Rivas Apr 11, 2012

More than 100 demonstrators rallied in front of the steps of city hall on Tuesday in support of justice for an unarmed teen that was killed by Pasadena Police on March 24th. Two Pasadena police officer shot and killed 19-year-old [Kendrec McDade](https://colorlines.com/archives/2012/04/pasadena_police_point_fingers_at_latino_man_whos_911_call_led_cops_to_shoot_and_kill_unarmed_black_t.html) in an alley when they saw him reach for his waistband. McDade was unarmed, he never had a gun. McDade’s father Kenneth spoke at the event organized by NAACP leaders and Pasadena clergy members. "Somebody cut him down for no reason," Kenneth McDade said. "Somebody’s got to be held accountable. As long as I’ve got life in my body I’m going to find out what happened to my son." Community members held signs with images of Trayvon Martin next to images of McDade and point to similarities in both cases–both were unarmed, young black males. "We have our own Trayvon Martin here," said Michelle White, Executive Director at Affordable Housing Services and President of the ACLU Chapter in Pasadena. (White did not speak on behalf of the ACLU.) "Young black males are just an endangered species in the United States and Pasadena is no different in that regard."