National news from Grand Rapids, Michigan shows a concerned mother is speaking out after an extremely disturbing video that was released showing officers holding a group of unarmed black teens, including her 14-year-old son, at gunpoint on the ground.
The incident happened after Grand Rapids police responded to a report of 100 teenagers fighting, but after searching the area police only found about 20 or 25 youths and no fight, and obviously "no guns," Grand Rapids Police Public Information Officer Terry Dixon told ABC News today
"Guys, get on the ground. Keep your hands out," a Grand Rapids police officer tells a group of youths in the video. "Just follow our directions and we'll be all right, OK?" This March 24 exchange, which was caught on body camera, came after a report of a group of teenagers carrying a gun; however, police later learned these youths weren't armed.
Shawndryka Moore, whose 14-year-old son was among the teens forced to the ground, told ABC News in an interview that her son was confused and traumatized. "A whole month later it still hurts," Moore said. "The hurtful part is how badly this could have ended. ... my son and others on the ground by people that's supposed to protect them."
A police spokesman said the officers' actions followed protocol and displayed "professionalism ... throughout the entire ordeal," though the spokesman added that "it is unfortunate ... the teens had to endure this."
The questions we must ask ourselves. We could ask-Why would any police take the word of a man and hold a pistol over the body of 13-year-old boys? Why would any witness’ story be changed?
It's because- They are victims of a police force that overwhelmingly assumes first that most young black men are criminals followed by fear of them. They are victims of bad legislation, like the Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, that gives anyone the unfettered right to kill "us" if they feel threatened in any way by "us.".
We need more love in our communities! We don't see the same love and acceptance for our black children unconditionally that you see in other communities even the white areas. Regardless of our child’s age- We demand respect and to instill feelings of acceptance and self-worth. I would suggest to the Police on the ground that day-”You teach children, by how you treat them, that they are valuable and worthy of love.”
At any point, these children could have been a Trayvon Martin or a Tamir Rice! As Police Officials, you have the power to stave off feelings of emptiness that these young men feel day by day but it's that unfortunate you choose not to! Instead, you penalize the children and for the rest of their lives, they develop a mistrust of Police Officials.
Sure, you say that pointing the Gun at them was a protocol and procedure, but I ask did you- talk to your children about racism ― tell them that Tamir Rice was just an innocent child whose death was motivated by racism. Ultimately some of these questions will be answered by investigators. Other questions—the deeper, more disturbing ones that ask about equality and intolerance—must be answered by our communities, and we will not accept any answer as sufficient. We will be the voice that controls the Narrative of our community.
For your part, a public apology is in order and I also ask that you make a proclamation for change. Nothing else will be sufficient.
For my part I'm organizing a "Peaceful Protest Rally to be scheduled at 1 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 at noon this Saturday."
Pastor Gregg L.Greer-President Freedom First International
The protest in Grand Rapids on Saturday, April 29 will have dual significance because it was after a jury acquitted four police officers in the 1991 videotaped beating of Rodney King, a Black motorist, widespread riots broke out in South Central Los Angeles.
Also, this date makes the 100th day that Donald Trump is in Office and under his Department of Justice is very challenged to act in civil court cases against police misconduct. U.S. cities have made steady progress in the management of the use of force and racial profiling. It is tragic that the Trump administration’s Department of Justice is turning its back on that progress, depriving Americans of the effective, safe and constitutional policing. glg
###
Gregg L. Greer a Public Speaker, Minister, Social Activist, and the Editor of the One World internet journal. Greer is the Founder of Freedom First International a human rights NGO. Greer writes commentary on Apolitical America, Huffington Post, Daily Kos and others-or listen to his radio podcast at OneWorld Talks -if you are interested in interviews from his and others of the brightest minds today, you can email him at oneworldtoday@gmail.com His website is www.gregglgreer.com