HARRISBURG (WPMT)-Local demonstrators rallied at the State Capital during the annual tree lighting ceremony Thursday night--to protest after the New York grand jury decided not to indict police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold death of Eric Garner.
About three dozen protesters turned gathered across from Capitol along Third Street to express their anger with the jury's decision.
Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse issued a statement, calling for "civil, open dialogue to try to ease tensions between law enforcement and minority communities amid national protests over recent police killings of African American men."
He plans to participate in community forums on community relations and policing, including an event sponsored by Bethany A.M.E Church at 6 p.m. on January 12.
"This is a time for both sides to step back and reflect on the reasons for the tensions and to examine what we can do as a community to ease hostilities," he said.