BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A local Black Lives Matter event took place at Beach Park on Saturday and aimed at educating residents about political issues and voting matters.

Joseph Fonceca, who was raised in Bakersfield, was a big part of the effort to organize this event. He pointed out the lack of voting from those eligible as a big issue and something that needs to change this November.

“We have to be aware and educated on who we are electing in our congressional districts," he said. "Until we as a society have accepted the blame and responsibility that we have become lazy and we’re not informed on our own politics, only once we do that can we start creating a real change.”

This demonstration was called an event or rally that is a part of a larger conscious movement.

“We’re here, we’re not going away this time. This isn’t 2014 Ferguson, we’re not here to riot for a day, we’re not here to riot for a month, we’re here to educate everyone and inform everyone on when November comes, what we have to do as a collective society.”

Treyvon Armstrong was born and raised in Bakersfield and thinks the support he saw on Saturday and over the last week has been important.

“Growing up in Bakersfield man, you see a lot of racism and you see a divide," he said. "So when these protests, marches start happening in Bakersfield where all different colors, races, ages all that and they all band together to support one cause, it's big, it's really big.