About 100 people came together to remember Kollin Elderts and protest his murder at the hands of an APEC Security Agent.   Marchers wore black armbands and carried signs demanding justice for Kollin as they walked from Old Stadium Park to the Convention Center, and then on to the Kuhio McDonald’s where Kollin was shot by U.S. APEC Special Agent Christopher Deedy.  Others carried signs opposing APEC and its policies.

Marchers chanted “Remember Kollin Elderts; Justice for Kollin NOW!”    Motorists honked their horns, pedestrians gave a thumbs up or waved, and tourists came to their lanais to find out what was going on.  Inside the Convention Center people crowded together at windows watching the protesters.

The gathering at McDonald’s was more somber, as protesters took the bullhorn to express both their sadness and anger.  A young poet shared a poem she had written to honor Kollin, and a Hawaiian activist led a mele.

While the main focus of this march was to show respect for Kollin Elderts and demand justice, much of the anger of the marchers was directed at APEC, without which this murder would not have happened.  Along the march people talked with each other about the link between the violence APEC has brought to Hawai`i, and the violence it perpetrates on the indigenous peoples and the poor of the people in the Pacific region  through its policies, and talked about the disgust they feel about the way APEC is being promoted.   Short periods of silence were held before the march began, at the Convention Center, and again at McDonald’s to remember Kollin as well as his ohana as they mourn his death.

The protest was covered by the local news as well as national and international news and reports of the protest are being carried in newspapers from Kansas City to Jakarta.   The voices of Hawai`i’s people are being heard around the world.

Following are some of the news reports:

KGMB Hawai`i News Now: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15993549/crowd-protests-killing-of-oahu-man-before-apec

The Hawai`i Independent: http://thehawaiiindependent.com/story/protestors-march-for-justice-for-shooting-victim-against-apec

KHON:  http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Protestors-march-to-Convention-Center/PLVEEKkEZUuTJi_L8UCurA.cspx

KITV Flickr:   http://www.kitv.com/video/29718572/detail.html

Star Advertiser: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20111109_Victim_in_Waikiki_shooting_deserves_justice_group_says.html?id=133519038

Civil Beat:  http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2011/11/08/13697-protesters-mourn-local-killed-in-waikiki-shooting/