Vice Mayor Jean Quan helped organize this gathering, which took place near a grocery store where Grant worked.
Demonstrators say their concern grew after threatening graffiti showed up over the weekend on several Dimond District buildings and at Lake Merritt.
"I'm concerned about Oscar Grant and all the things that have happened and don't want more violence in Oakland, even though I understand why people are angry," said demonstrator April Schlenk.
"We want to make sure that people understand that the City of Oakland is a safe place and that most of us will be demonstrating -- whatever the verdict is -- peacefully and publically," said Quan.
