By HILARY WHITTIER (PIX11) Staff reporter

1:41 a.m. EDT, October 23, 2011
NEW YORK (PIX11)—
Marching and chanting is something New Yorkers have seen plenty of recently, especially in light of the Occupy Wall Street movement, now into its second month.

But, Saturday's protest in Union Square focused specifically on abolishing police brutality. "People pass and say, 'oh police are here, and they're on our side.' They're not," said a protest organizer.

During Occupy Wall Street protests in Lower Manhattan, police have been spotted and caught on video swinging batons. "We're telling police that we're not agreeing with the things they do. We want them to stop brutality," explained one protester.

Others say the number of people at the protest is a testament to the intensity and seriousness of the fight for change nationwide. "I think it just speaks to the radical climate that's happening in America right now with folks waking up across the country and across New York. It's like the norm is now being challenged," one protester pointed out.

The "Fight Police Brutality" is in its 16th year, and participants who spoke with PIX11 News say they plan to keep coming back every year until their message is fully received.

Edited By Michelle Robinson