Supporters of the nationwide Black Lives Matter movement are preparing a large march at the Reno Arch on Friday night. More than 550 people have RSVP'd on Facebook.
The protest is being organized by two high school students with some assistance by local groups like the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Northern Nevada.
Reno Police Chief Jason Soto says they will provide 30 to 50 additional officers to work the march.
"We look forward to a safe and peaceful march," says Soto. "We certainly support the First Amendment and everybody's right to peacefully assemble; we're looking for a safe event."
This is not the first event to highlight issues of race and policing. Talicia Beck started a Reno chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement five months ago.
"The main the thing I want to put out there to Reno is that we do have a problem," she says. "It's a silent problem, but we have a problem. I think now is the time to take a stand and make it known we are against police brutality, and we want to bring people together. We're not for violence."
Friday's rally starts at 7 p.m.
