Dozens of people attended a rally in Hempstead Friday night to protest of the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri.

Earlier this week, a grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the August shooting death of Michael Brown. The decision sparked protests nationwide.

Nearly 70 people attended the rally at Hempstead Village Hall, saying protests are needed to create change. Bishop David Gates II, from the Miracle Christian Center, says he was inspired by Brown's family, who asked for the protests to be used as a teaching moment.

Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall invited demonstrators to join his call to action summit for My Brother's Keeper, an initiative to help bring up the high school graduation rate in Hempstead. The summit will be held Dec. 20 at Kennedy Park in Hempstead.