Others, like Gregory Watts, 61, of Brooklyn, decided it was a great way to spend Father's Day with his wife and two sons. He claimed that blacks have been targeted by police for years in the city but recently it has become more overt. "It's sophisticated racial profiling," he told The Root, which continues because "the court system endorses it."

Watts also pointed out that there is some added significance that Rodney King -- whose beating at the hands of the Los Angeles police symbolized unfair treatment by law enforcement two decades ago -- died on the same day as the march. "It's ironic, and it's sad, too," Watts said.

Despite that grim reminder, the march was a largely peaceful event. There were a few reports via Twitter of negative encounters with police, and there were also reports of scuffles. The police were seen making a few arrests. The exact number was not known at press time.

The NYCLU's Lieberman was mostly satisfied with how the silent protest concluded. "Thousands took to the streets in a dignified silent protest against the NYPD abuse," she told The Root. "What's wonderful about this march is that this march is the face of New York -- people of all races, nationalities, colors -- and we have a common message: that the police department that protects us is not the one we want to be afraid of."

Brett Johnson is The Root's associate editor.

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