Photos by John Ross Ferrara.

A few dozen people marched around the Eureka courthouse around 11 a.m. today, before gathering at the Old Town gazebo to share stories and poetry in support of human rights.

The group, which had no specific title, organized through the Facebook event “March for Human Rights, Eureka - CA.” Local poet Therese FitzMaurice said the group decided to meet today in honor of the 68th Anniversary of the U.N.’s Declaration of Human Rights.

“As citizens of the United States, California, and Humboldt County, we will gather peacefully and march together,” the Facebook page reads. “Per the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, to which the United States of America was both signator and guiding member.”

Among those who spoke publicly at the gazebo were Humboldt State Journalism Department Chair Marcy Burstiner, local poet Jerry Martien and College of the Redwoods professor Renee Saucedo.

“Even in California, governments have not always, and do not always recognize and uphold people’s rights to assemble and protest,” Burstiner said from the gazebo grandstand. “Police beat protesters in riot gear, and with water hoses, and with billy clubs, with tasers and pepper spray, and they arrest them.”

Saucedo also spoke about her sick mother being denied entrance into the U.S. to receive medical care, and Martien read a poem.

“What we’re doing today is building on what we’ve done before,” Martien said. “And what’s to come, we’ll build on this.”

After speaking, the group marched back to the Labor Temple to discuss future ways to support human rights in the Humboldt community.

“In addition to demonstrating solidarity and building relationships, we invite you to view this event as an opportunity not to plug in for just one day, but to explore a variety of ways you can get involved long term,” the Facebook event reads. “After the march, we’ll have information available about how you can volunteer with a variety of local organizations working on these issues. Please come and find a way to apply your talents and passions to support ongoing work for a variety of human and environmental rights!”

Martien’s poem.