CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- For the first time since third-year University of Virginia student Martese Johnson was arrested early Wednesday morning -- students at the school sat down with local law-enforcement to talk about the incident -- and race relations in the community.
Many expressed frustration, saying that the police were not answering their questions.
With hundreds of students packing the meeting, including Johnson himself, a representative from the Virginia ABC was there, but said he could not answer specific questions because of the on-going investigation.
Many of the students left before the meeting was over, marching out and chanting, "Black lives matter." Still law-enforcement officials said they thought the meeting was an important first step.
“I think this is a first step, said Albemarle County Police Chief Steve Sellers. “The first step is about expressing concerns and asking questions we don't have answers yet we just don't.”
Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran told students the state police investigation could take several weeks and asked the entire community to have patience until the investigation is complete.
