Several thousand people rallied peacefully in Boston to protest a grand jury's decision to not charge a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man in New York City.

Protesters blocked some city streets Thursday evening while marching to Boston Common, where the city's annual tree lighting ceremony was being held at the same time. No violence was reported.

Demonstrators held signs saying ``Justice for All'' and ``Black Lives Matter'' and chanted. They later gathered outside the Statehouse.

Gov. Deval Patrick said he too was frustrated and discouraged by the grand jury's decision. He says it's even more upsetting since there is a videotape showing police Officer Daniel Pantaleo holding Eric Garner in a chokehold as Garner repeatedly gasped, ``I can't breathe.''

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