Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Tis the season to be jolly. And everyone is encouraged to extend good cheer to all men.
But for many such is not the case – especially in numerous Black communities across the country.
It would seem that the recent spate of incidences in which unarmed Black men have been killed by white police officers has reached a tipping point.
The demonstrations and protests that gripped Ferguson, Missouri, following the death of Michael Brown, have now gained traction in other communities coping with the same issue.
And, as we know, Milwaukee has not been spared from this social unrest.
It’s been almost eight months since the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton in Red Arrow Park, and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has yet to announce if he will charge Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney.
Officer Manney fired his weapon more than a dozen times at Hamilton, who was unarmed at the time of incident.
For the first time last Friday, protests over the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton produced mass arrests in Milwaukee as demonstrators temporarily closed I-43 in both directions during the evening rush hour.
According to the Milwaukee Sheriff’s office, 73 adults and one juvenile were arrested, but there was no violence.
Generally speaking, the community has shown remarkable patience to date.
The Hamilton family (brother Nathaniel Hamilton and mother Maria Hamilton) has been persistent in its pleas for non-violence.
In fact, the family has gone on record in urging the city of Milwaukee to provide Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to all its police officers.
At any event, the state of Wisconsin is poised to take action.
Gov. Walker has already indicated that he’s prepared to call in the National Guard, if need be.
Will a no-indictment decision by District Attorney Chisholm spawn violent dissent is anybody’s guess?
It’s my fervent hope that the community will adhere to the wishes of Hamilton family and not engage in violence.
Civil expression is one thing, but looting and violence cannot be condoned; and, is completely out-of-place during this season of goodwill and peace.
Here’s wishing you all a joyous Holiday Season.