Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

At Stephon Clark ‘Peace Rally,’ Former Sacramento King Matt Barnes Vows To Be ‘Driving Force’ For Police Reform, Racial Justice

  •  Sammy Caiola 
  •  Nick Miller 
Saturday, March 31, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Rev. Shane Harris and former Sacramento Kings player Matt Barnes hold Stephon Clark’s children, Cairo, 1, and Aiden, 3, while addressing the crowd gathered Saturday, March 31, for a peace rally organized by Barnes at Cesar Chavez Plaza.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Former NBA player Matt Barnes stood at a microphone and opened up about explaining Stephon Clark’s death to his kids.

“I got two 9-year-old boys that look just like this, and I fear for them,” the former Sacramento Kings player and hometown favorite told a crowd at Cesar Chavez Plaza on Saturday afternoon. “How do we explain to our kids that just because of the color of your skin, people aren’t going to like you? That’s not fair. But that’s something you have to explain to your kids every day.”

Barnes openly discussed issues of being black in America, policing and equity at what was coined a “peace rally” to honor Clark, whose immediately family — including his widow and children — attended.

At one point, Barnes held one of Clark's sons and promised to be a “driving force” in the fight for reform.

“This is not a Sacramento problem, this is a nationwide problem,” said Barnes, who also helped organize and pay for the event.

033118Stephon Clark Peace Rally Crowd -pPeople gather at a peace rally held at Cesar Chavez Plaza on March 31 as a call for justice for Stephon Clark, who was shot and killed by Sacramento police on March 18, and other unarmed black men killed by police throughout the country.Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

 

The occasion also featured religious leaders and community organizers, who voiced support for police reforms and increased investment in Sacramento’s neighborhoods of color. Clark’s family members also gave heartfelt speeches.

Kristena Rodriguez-Johnson, who said her son was Clark’s best friend and described herself as “a second mother to Stephon,” talked about how Clark loved Sacramento and being a father.

“Nothing we can do is gonna bring him back, but I pray to God that we bring change,” Rodriguez-Johnson said. “I’m so worried I have to teach them [our children] to put their hands up and get down on their knees.”

Jamilia Land, who introduced herself as Clark’s aunt, talked about his brother Ste’Vante Clark’s public outbursts. “His brother Ste’Vante is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder,” she claimed, adding that Ste’Vante Clark has now lost two siblings to gun violence.

“This is why this baby says ‘We need a resource center,’” she said of Ste’Vante Clark, who has asked Mayor Darrell Steinberg to build a library and a 24-hour resource center in his brother’s Meadowview neighborhood.

“Where are the mental health professionals in our community? He needs help,” Land told the audience.

033118Stephon Clark Peace Rally Aunt Jamilia Land -p
Stephon Clark's aunt, Jamilia Land, speaks at a peace rally for Clark held at Cesar Chavez Plaza in Sacramento on March 31, 2018.Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

 

The rally came nearly two weeks after officers shot Stephon Clark in the backyard of his grandparents’ Meadowview home. His grandmother, Sequita Thompson, was in attendance at Saturday’s event.

Barnes vowed to not give up on pursuing change. “You have my word, being from here, that I’m going to do everything. I’m sitting down with the mayor, I’m sitting down with the gang leaders, and I’m going to be in your community and I’m going to be the driving force behind Sacramento,” he said.

At the rally’s end, Barnes announced that he would form a college fund for Clark’s sons and other children who’ve lost a parent to police violence. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Stephon Clark

  • Family courtesy photo via AP

    The Latest: Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    On Sunday, March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark was shot and killed by two Sacramento police officers in the backyard of his grandparents' house in South Sacramento. Check back here for the latest updates, conversations and analysis.

    Related Stories

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    National Action Network's Rev. Shane Harris Brings Social Justice Activism To Sacramento

    Wednesday, April 4, 2018
    Rev. Shane Harris is relocating to Sacramento after the police shooting death of Stephon Clark to work with former NBA player Matt Barnes on bringing change to the city.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Former NBA Player Matt Barnes Joins Movement For Change Following Stephon Clark Shooting

    Monday, April 2, 2018
    Former NBA player Matt Barnes shares why he's decided to get involved in the Stephon Clark case, and CapRadio reporter Sammy Caiola gives the latest on the weekend's protests.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Political Junkie: Stephon Clark And The National Stage

    Monday, April 2, 2018
    No tweets from President Trump after another police shooting has Ken Rudin taking notice.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Demonstrators March For Nearly Five Hours In Sacramento After Release Of Stephon Clark Autopsy

    Friday, March 30, 2018
    The Clark family commissioned an independent autopsy, which indicated that the unarmed black 22-year-old was shot eight times, most of them in the back. Protests in the streets lasted past midnight.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

    Independent Autopsy Finds Stephon Clark Shot Eight Times, Most In The Back

    Friday, March 30, 2018
    The Clark family hired Bennet Omalu — a nationally renowned physician — to perform the autopsy. Sacramento County has yet to release its official autopsy.

 Stephon Clarkpolice shooting

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sammy Caiola

Former Healthcare Reporter

Sammy Caiola has been covering medical breakthroughs, fitness fads and health policy in California since 2014. Before joining CapRadio, Sammy was a health reporter at The Sacramento Bee.  Read Full Bio 

 @sammycaiola Email Sammy Caiola

Nick Miller

Managing Editor, News and Information

Nick Miller is an award-winning editor with more than 15 years of newsroom experience. Previously he was editor-in-chief of the East Bay Express in Oakland, and worked as an editor for 12 years at the Sacramento News & Review.  Read Full Bio 

 @NickMiller510 Email Nick Miller

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you

May 16, 2022

EdSource

In the San Joaquin Valley, rapidly growing school districts endure overcrowding

May 18, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

May 13, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Austin Bombing Suspect, Mark Anthony Conditt, Left A 'Confession' Before Standoff

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Austin Bombing Suspect, Mark Anthony Conditt, Left A 'Confession' Before Standoff

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.