Another demonstration in downtown Milwaukee; What do protesters want?

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As loved ones said goodbye on Monday, August 25th to 18-year-old Michael Brown -- shot and killed by a police officer in Missouri, folks here in Milwaukee used Brown's death to put a spotlight on policing in this city, and their perceived injustices.

Demonstrators gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee late Monday afternoon. There, they stood in solidarity with those in Missouri -- holding a moment of silence for Michael Brown. Brown was unarmed when he was gunned down by a Ferguson police officer.

The incident involving Michael Brown has sparked a nationwide movement.

In Milwaukee on Monday, before feet hit the pavement and chants echoed inside the Grand Avenue Mall, a crowd heard from speakers -- including Alderwoman Milele Coggs.

"We are not going to stop what we are currently doing," Verona Swanigan said.

Swanigan is a Milwaukee attorney, who just returned from Ferguson, Missouri.

"I was more afraid, definitely more afraid of the police officers there than any citizen I've ever met," Swanigan said.

The demonstration was held outside the federal courthouse because the group is asking for Eric Holder and the Department of Justice to use their full power to investigate possible police brutality across the country.

They also say they have some demands on the local level -- that the relationship be repaired between the African-American community and Milwaukee police.

During Monday's demonstration, organizers spoke of the shooting of 31-year-old Dontre Hamilton -- a mentally ill man, shot and killed by a Milwaukee police officer on April 30th. Demonstrators are seeking more information to be released in the case.

The shooting happened inside downtown Milwaukee's Red Arrow Park, where some demonstrators gathered before making their way to the federal courthouse.

Among those on the courthouse steps Monday was Dontre Hamilton's brother.

"We can change Milwaukee, and from Milwaukee we can change Wisconsin," Nathaniel Hamilton said.

The Hamilton family met with Milwaukee police on Monday -- but they say they continue to seek more information -- including the name of the officer who shot and killed Dontre.

"What sets us apart from Ferguson? What makes them able to get this information in two weeks and here we are four months alter and we don`t have any information?" Nathaniel Hamilton said.

"The emphasis here is on law enforcement around the country to repair strained relationships with the community --  so we are looking at Milwaukee and the strained relationship here is pretty prevalent," Mike Wilder said.

Milwaukee police say Hamilton was shot and killed when he took an officer's baton inside Red Arrow Park. Police didn't issue a statement on their meeting with the Hamilton family on Monday -- but they did assist by shutting down streets for protesters.

Organizers say they're planning another demonstration for this Friday, August 29th.