WASHINGTON (CNN) —Some congressional staffers walked off their jobs Thursday afternoon to show their support for the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner in the wake of the decision by two grand juries not to indict the police officers responsible for their deaths, according to three staffers who planned to participate in the event. The planned walkout came after days of protests across the country, including in Washington, D.C., where demonstrators have marched through downtown, blocking roads and bridges on an almost nightly basis since last Wednesday's decision by a grand jury in Staten Island not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold death of Garner. "We're proud to have this moment of solidarity with the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner and the thousands of peaceful protesters around the country who are telling this country that black lives matter," said one staffer who was helping to plan the event. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association and the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association was expected to join black staffers and the Congressional Black Associates in planning the event. A staffer who planned to attend the protest said it was important to show support across racial lines.

• published: 11 Dec 2014
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