From Day 1 to 40, the Last Chance for Change protested with a purpose, peacefully.

“It was kind of exciting because of all the doubt,” said Nathaniel Flagg, a Last Chance for Change leader. “A lot of people said we won’t make it and we proved everyone wrong.”

People of all ages and backgrounds came together to fight for police reform in Syracuse.

They marched 124.6 miles throughout the city, stopping at the Public Safety Building, City Hall, the Catholic Diocese and businesses.

“It’s important,” said Gabriel Lupia, a Last Chance for Change protester. “Community support, having some privileged white voices surrounding these down-trodden African American people is important. It’s how it’s going to keep this movement going.”

But it wasn’t all about chanting their message. On some days, they registered people to vote, cleaned the community and held group discussions.

But despite their common goal, they still had their differences.

“The hardest part was that we didn’t have time to establish a bond as in leadership,” said Curtis Chaplin, a Last Chance for Change leader. “We had a lot of people with different ideas, motives, backgrounds, and we butted heads here and there.”

Still they marched on, getting attention from local and state officials who met some of their demands such as repealing law 50-a and passing the Right to Know Act.

Next week, they’ll receive a response about the rest of their agenda. But, leaders say this is just the beginning.

“We can’t stop, we won’t stop,” said Dramar Felton, a Last Chance for change leader. “We have so much to take care. So many kids that are following, that’s growing up, that needs to understand why we were marching and understand the purpose of what they need to stand up for.”

Leaders say they’ll continue protesting, but not every day.
They’ll also focus neighborhood issues such as crime and creating youth programs.

“Yes, we want to do the police reform and get justice for everybody, but we also need to get justice in our community as well,” said Flagg.

“In my eyes, this is home,” said Chaplin. “Home is always going to be the best city, so if I feel that home is the best city, it’s my job to create it.”

Leaders know there’s a long road ahead, but they believe with each step, they’re closer to change.