Rally engages civic and political leaders in heated discussion
by Jazzmine Otey and S. Hale
“Now is the time more than ever for us to come together as we have tonight,” was spoken powerfully by MC Stephen Niamke at a Stop the Violence rally held Tuesday, July 18 at Paradise Cathedral Church in northwest.
Residents of various communities came together as well as leaders Mayor Sherman Lea, Senator John Edwards, Chief of Police Tim Jones and others to discuss gun violence, police brutality, racial profiling and a host of other critical issues that continue to plague society.
After a brief but passionate speech by MC Stephen Niamke, Mayor Sherman Lea spoke on his vision to bring relief to the troubling age-old concerns. Mayor Lea, heavily emphasized his position in that violence is not the answer and also referenced President Barack Obama in his claim that shooting police officers endangers all of us. “We all want the same thing and we’re not as different as we think,” said Lea who staunchly promoted “positive relationships with police officers.”
“Violence never leads to anything,” said Senator John Edwards who pointed to violence as a “tradition not just in America but in the world around us.” He also made reference to Martin Luther King’s pacifist character and leadership in regards to fighting for civil rights. Sen. Edwards emphatically spoke about law as essential for human freedom, civilization and aspiration and said, “without it we can have none of these.
“All lives matter because in God’s eyes we are all human beings,” was one of many points raised by Police Chief Tim Jones who encouraged people to speak up candidly and openly and said “collectively and together is the only way we can grow as a community.”
Jones also made sure to offer empathy to family members who had lost loved ones due to gun violence further expressing his views in coming together as a community.
WSLS 10 News anchor Brie Jackson and journalist Eric Johnson presented a video that showed the heavy influence guns have in society. They both expressed the need for collaboration among citizens and police and stressed the need for more young positive mentors and activated citizens to initiate real positive changes. Congressional candidate Kai Degner expressed the need for more civility and was quick to provide an understanding of the citizen/police dilemma comparing it to a boiling pot of water with a lid on it ready to explode. “Degner then encouraged the audience to “lift that lid so we can openly vent and listen to each other.”
Concluding the round of introductions Bob Goodlette, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee encouraged communication amongst leaders and the community so that everyone could leave with resolve, and overall so that police and young people could feel respected.
Leading the brigade of attendees who posed questions to the officials was Andy Parker, father of WSLS news reporter Alison Parker who was gun down during a live broadcast.
Leveling his question directly at Bob Goodlatte, Parker asked the congressman why as Speaker of the House Judiciary he refuses to allow hearings on many sensible bipartisan gun legislation bills sitting on his desk. Parker referred to Goodlatte’s response made during a meeting the two had whereby the congressman stated, “If its something I think won’t pass I’m not going to hold hearings on it.”
We need to focus on the legislation and the laws we have on the books and yet you voted against the ATF’s (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) request to ban cop killer armor piercing bullets,” said Parker who pushed the issue further pointing out that Goodlatte voted to defund the ATF itself.
“How do you sleep at night,” asked Parker as Goodlatte sat stone-faced offering no comment as the crowd roared.
One respondent Willie Harris a 31-year-old African American who described himself as an entrepreneur, opened his well-based comments calmly but then visible disturbed, proceeded to passionately rant his grievances which led others to follow suit.
After respectfully praising the police he said they simply don’t understand what makes Black people do crazy and sometimes unlawful things. Harris proceeded to make the point that “cops need to insert themselves into the neighborhoods.” His point, like many who voiced their opinions, was well supported by the crowd at this heavily attended event.
