BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Protesters who have come to the Downtown Bakersfield marches and demonstrations want to see real change happen and prevent future generations from having to deal with this same racial injustice being fought for now.

On Thursday, an protesters were given an open forum on the steps in front of the Bakersfield Police Department Building as they shared their message and their voices.

“We keep having the same stories repeated and it’s like someone gets shot, and we keep coming out and protesting," Rawiah Osman said. "And all we’re asking for is common decency and respect and for justice to be served. We keep marching and we keep coming on the news and we keep saying what we want but it’s as if you guys are hearing us but you’re not listening to us, the whole entire community in general. I feel like action has to be taken, us protesting is what we have left. We did it peacefully and nothing happened."

She was one of the many community members who addressed the crowd that stayed peaceful in their demonstrations all night long.