There will be a candlelight vigil tonight in Brentwood on behalf of victims of police brutality.
We are bringing it to Brentwood, where 19 years ago, black motorist Jonny Gammage was left dead after an altercation with FIVE suburban police officers, after which one of the officers involved was promoted to sergeant. Though not part of the City, Brentwood is a first-ring suburb and a powerful indicator of what is happening just outside of the City proper. To have a presence here would be meaningful. The site of the vigil is just a half block from the Brentwood Police Station and directly across the Brentwood Presbyterian Church.
The fact is that a disproportionate number of African-American males are victims of police brutality. We don't want to erase victims who are female, or are Hispanic, White, Asian or any other nationality, but we will be focusing on the most imperiled group, which are young, African-American males.
All are included and will be prayed for and remembered during this vigil and call to action that it MUST STOP. We will honor the names of as many victims as we can: Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Jonny Gammage. The list is just too, too, long.
If you attend and are active on social media, please use the hashtag: #blacklivesmatter.
This event will take place on the sidewalks outside the Brentwood Medical Group building on Brownsville Road, which sits on top of a stop on the Underground Railroad: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/what-can-you-tell-me-about-pittsburghs-role-in-the-underground-railroad/Content?oid=1334842
There is parking along Brownsville Road and along side streets.WHAT: "Brentwood Candlelight Vigil for All Victims of Police Brutality"
WHEN: Today, Tuesday, December 16th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
WHERE: Brentwood Medical Group, 3720 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15227
For more information, please see the Facebook event page here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/15/jeffrey-follmer-cleveland-browns_n_6330990.html
ReplyDelete"How about this? Listen to police officers commands, listen to what we tell you, and just stop," Follmer said. "I think that eliminates a lot of problems. I have kids too, they know how to respect the law. They know what to do when a police officer comes up to them.
"I think the nation needs to realize that when we tell you to do something, do it, and if you're wrong you're wrong, and if you're right, then the courts will figure it out."
"It's pretty pathetic when athletes think they know the law," Follmer
ReplyDeleteLike Police know the law.
Unless it turns out the Police are wrong about law.
Then the Police say they have Qualified Immunity and they should not be held to ignorance of the law is no excuse.
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/17/los-angeles-bodycamsforpolice.html
ReplyDeleteNow here's a step in the right direction.
LAPD to Get Body Cameras. Will They Tamper with Those, Too?
ReplyDeletehttp://reason.com/blog/2014/12/17/lapd-to-get-body-cameras-will-they-tampe