Thousands of people gathered in Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn Saturday to rally in support of former NYPD Officer Peter Liang, who was tossed off the force after fatally shooting a man.

Liang was convicted earlier this month on manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of Akai Gurley. As News 12 has reported, Gurley was unarmed when he was shot in a dimly lit stairwell at the Pink Houses in 2014. Liang said he was startled and his gun accidentally went off, but prosecutors said he was thoroughly trained in using his firearm.

Protesters who support Liang say it was a tragic accident, and say the former rookie officer should not have been indicted or convicted.

Liang's supporters say he is a scapegoat amid tensions between police and the community, and they believe he is the victim of an unjust system.

Liang is appealing his conviction. He is expected back in court in April for sentencing, and could face up to 15 years in prison.