Marin Co. teens throw hip-hop concert to benefit Eric Garner's family

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The fatal officer-involved shooting in South Carolina is capturing the nation's attention, but it was another incident involving an unarmed black man and a white police officer was the impetus for a concert Thursday night in Oakland.

Matt Geffen remembers seeing the video of Eric Garner, the Staten Island father of six who died after being choked by a New York police officer last year. That's when the 16-year-old student from Marin County became an activist using what he calls his privilege to take a stand.

"We wanted to do something about it even if just to create an environment to talk about these issues."

Matt and Timmy Stabler, also a sophomore at Marin Academy, have worked for months on an event that takes place tonight called Concert for Justice. Many of their classmates will attend and the school donated hundreds of dollars.

"We saw how many people wanted to do something, wanted to care, they were really far removed and so we figured this was a way to actually get ourselves involved and we don't have to be bystanders," Stabler said.

The concert will feature hip hop artists. More than 200 tickets have been sold and all the proceeds will go to the family of Eric Garner. Erica Garner is his oldest daughter.

"For them to have that kind of compassion for our family is amazing," she said. "I'm just grateful to even be out here."

Since her father's death, the 24-year-old has become what she calls an overnight activist.

"The fighting never stops," she said.

She is the host of Thursday night's concert at the New Parish in Oakland. She Matt, and Timmy expect a huge crowd. Doors open at 8 p.m.