Mike Crupi/THE POST Protesters of the "Racist Lynching of James T. Byrd Jr." make their way down Court Street during a candlelit march against the lynching and all other forms of racially motivated hatred. Last night's march, which started on West Green, followed speeches and poetry readings that were held in Irvine Auditorium.

Gathering at Irvine Auditorium and later marching by candlelight to Lindley Hall, diverse members of the community and students protested the racially motivated murder of 49-year-old James Byrd.

Giving the opening speech at the vigil, sophomore Bernard Frampton said, "It's not a struggle of race or class. It's a struggle of humanity.

"If we are afraid to march then we have negated our identity and history. We have said 'no' to James Byrd."

Byrd was beaten unconscious last June, chained to the back of a pickup truck and dragged nearly three miles along rural roads outside Jasper, Texas.

Last week, State District Judge Monte Lawlis refused to move the trial of 32-year-old Lawrence Russell Brewer, the second defendant in the Byrd case, according to The Associated Press.

Already convicted for taking part in Byrd's murder and sentenced to death last February is 24 year-old John William King. A trial date for a third defendant, Shawn Allen Berry, 24, has not been set.

Assistant professor of educational studies Najee Muhammad cited examples of racial crimes and said when African-American people speak out, they are called militant, angry or hateful.

"It's not anger. It's not hate," Muhammad said. "It's pain."

He went on to explain how that pain stems from reading or watching news reports about an African American killed for racial reasons. Following the speakers, Positive United Real Expression hit the stage chanting, "Our bodies are hung by trees but they can't kill our spirit."

Senior Robert Brown, the first from the group to speak, said in reality, all victims of hate crimes are the same person.

"An injustice to one man is an injustice to every man," Brown said.

Carrying placards reading "Negate Hate" and singing against racism, the crowd marched with candles to Lindley Cultural Center for a speak-out and social hour.

Senior Daniel Barton said Byrd was further exploited or "lynched" by the "mass exodus" to east Texas by organizations attempting to promote their cause via media attention.

But Barton said last night's vigil was about injustice, not an attempt to gain the spotlight.

"It's just people who care," Barton said. "They've internalized it, and that's what the rest of the world has to do."

Although sophomore Annelize Machado felt there could have been more of a turnout, she called the protest "powerful" and a cause for which she wants to fight.

"Racism won't be stopped until more people come out and support causes to do away with racism," Machado said. "And silence is not helping anything."