Charlotte, NC - Over two dozen people participated in a rally and march in uptown Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 22, as part of a nationwide day of action to call for Justice for Tamir Rice, the 12 year old Cleveland boy shot to death by police officer Timothy Loehmann a year ago today.
The Tamir Rice shooting sparked outrage nationwide when video showed police officers arriving on the scene and shooting the child within 2 seconds, because they claim he had a toy pellet gun that resembled a hand gun. The police then brutally prevented Tamir's young sister from helping him as he lay on the ground bleeding.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty has refused to file charges against the two officers involved, Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. The county prosecutor's office will instead leave it to a grand jury to decide if the officers will be indicted for the shooting death of the young boy.
The Rice family attorneys said in a letter to the county prosecutor's office, “While we understand the general need to proceed with caution and thoroughness, no reasonable prosecutorial effort should be taking this long, especially under the circumstances of this case," and that two similar police shootings this year have already been heard by a grand jury.
Family attorney Subodh Chandra said the county prosecutors office "is working diligently to ensure that there is no indictment,” and trying to whitewash the case through the use of so-called expert reports.
“To get so-called experts to assist in the whitewash — when the world has the video of what happened — is all the more alarming,” Chandra told Fox News 8.
A Cleveland judge, in a non-binding review of the case, has found "probable cause for the charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, negligent homicide and dereliction of duty against Loehmann." (myfox8.com)
Charlotte rally participant Roderick Davis told WBTV news, “We just had the Jonathan Ferrell case here, so I think it’s a good thing that we’re letting Cleveland know, the city know, the nation know that everybody is watching.”
On left, marching through uptown. Right, Ashley Williams, a rally organizer, speaks.
Photos: Scott Trent
The rally in Charlotte was held in front of Discovery Place, a place where young children come to play and learn, similar to other events for Tamir Rice being held around the nation in places where children gather, as requested by those close to the family.
Ashley Williams, one of several UNCC students that organized the rally said that, "Children, moms, dads, parents are asking ‘what’s going on’ and ‘why are they here instead of somewhere else’ so this is exactly what we wanted.” (wbtv.com)
Paris Bey, cousin of Janisha Fonville.
Photo: Scott Trent
Other participants included Paris Bey, cousin of Janisha Fonville, the 20 year old woman that was killed by CMPD Officer Anthony Holzhauer on Feb. 18 of this year, and organizers with the Campaign To End Mass Incarceration from Greensboro, NC.
There were many signs and several banners calling for Justice For Tamir and an end to police brutality.
Photo: Scott Trent
Sources:
WBTV.com
MyFox8.com
