Thanks to Erika Lewis for sending this to me. Please also see the related AP news story.
Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you some important information about a disturbing situation that has taken place in Rockford, IL.
A few weeks ago, police shot and killed Mark Anthony Barmore, a 23-year-old African American man in Rockford, Illinois. Eyewitnesses say that outside the church day care center, Mr. Barmore encountered two police officers who apparently were looking for him on an allegation of domestic violence. He ran inside the church, and the officers followed him, guns drawn, without a warrant. After Mr. Barmore entered a small boiler room, the police demanded he come out. He slowly exited the room with his hands up. Then, witnesses say, police shot him — in front of children in the day care center. While he lay face down, police shot him three more times in the back.
On October 3, 2009 the NAACP will be mobilizing in Rockford, IL. We are demanding justice for the family of Mark Barmore, and we are calling for federal intervention and legislation to prevent this type of brutality from happening again.
Please join me on a call Monday, September 28, from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm (EST) so I can update you on the situation and the October 3rd mobilization. I have also invited local NAACP leaders to be on the call as well. If you cannot join me, please feel free to assign a representative.
Please RSVP to Erika Lewis at elewis@naacpnet.org by 9:00 AM on Monday, September 28. Thanks again for your support.
All the best,
Ben
Comment(s)
It appears the only feature of this reported incident that is labeled ‘alleged’ is the fact that the Peace Officers involved were working on a call to ‘apprehend’ a suspect identified as a perpetrator of Domestic Violence which carries a presumption of possibly armed and dangerous, so if the ‘message of media’ is: “Police Bad, Community Outrage Good”, there soon will be even less good police to protect the peace in these neighborhoods at risk.
Comment(s)
This is a very good article. It is very sad that officers go into a church to apprehend a suspect with no regards to the daycare children in the church who will be tramatized for life. It is easy for someone who hasn’t walked in our shoes to think that the Rockford Police department is a just in how they treat people of color. Additionally ,what must be said, yes we must do better but most Black men do not have a chance. They are generalized from the moment they reach their early teenage years. Please do soul searching a realize that these are human beings. Police officers mirror the rest of society, there are good cops and bad cops. Rockford has had a long history of alleged police brutality that has gone unaddressed.
Comment(s)
Thanks for all three comments above. I think there is a great divide in this country concerning the specific issue of police brutality and, more generally, the ongoing disenfranchisement and marginalization of African Americans. My hope is that this blog helps maintain a thoughtful, reasoned public discourse on issues that often spark passionate responses.
Having said that, I would never advocate vigilante justice, Larry.
Rick A., I’d like to respond to your comment. I’m not sure domestic violence “carries a presumption of possibly armed and dangerous.” Batterers beat their partners – otherwise the call would be for police to respond to a stabbing or a shooting incident, not a domestic violence incident.
Mae, I think your comment is heartfelt, thoughtful, and substantive.
Comment(s)
I think you guys need to get your facts straight before convicting these police officers. It just wasn’t a free for all shooting, he got in a scuffle with the one officer and got the officers gun and was about to use it. That constitutes a rightful shooting on the officers defense. When you are a police officer you are left with split second decisions. The comment about the officer being sent from Washington is a bunch of crap that is NOT true at all (Larry you’re an idiot.) Black or white, I challenge any of you on here to stand in the shoes of any police officer for one day… You’ll never make it!!! Oh, and by the way I am not a police officer, I am a African American serving my country in the United States Marine Corps!!!
Comment(s)
I think you make some great points, Amanda. I have one question: Do you think the police training you mention should include sensitivity training around the issues of race, racism, diversity, and difference as they relate to high tension situations? If so, I think many from local communities where police are often perceived more as threats than as protectors might agree with you.
Eisa