Washington, D.C.,- At least 12 mothers of children killed by police stood in a brisk wind at the Department of Justice Wednesday night to speak out against police brutality. They recounted the lives of their loved ones cut short and demanded reform to the justice system, prosecution of police who kill the unarmed, and changes of the grand jury which often fails to indict police officers on suspected wrong doing.
Hundreds joined them as their pleas for change to current justice system practices resonated and each told the story of a child they lost. One by one the mothers spoke of their struggle to come to grips with their losses and system failures to holding police accountable for misconduct.
Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell, was killed in a hail of 50 bullets by three NY police officers, in Queens on his wedding day in 2006, said her 23 year old son, “Was a caring young man and loving father and I miss him.” She held a candle and a large picture of Sean on poster board.
Sean Bell was unarmed after police fired into his limousine, thinking he was a danger to them. They also seriously injured two of his friends.
Bell demanded police be held to account.
Collette Flanagan, mother of Clinton Allen slain by Dallas police in 2013, said her son was killed though five witnesses said he had his hand up. “Until we get change from top to bottom we’ll be here,” she said.
After her son’s killing she founded Mothers Against Police Brutality (MAPB) to help others cope with loss of loved ones from police violence. She attributed MAPB for helping her by helping others.
Jeralynn Blueford, mother of Allen Blueford, an unarmed 18 year old, who was killed by Eastmont policeman in Oakland CA, decried police killings and coverups.”No more killing our children, no more killing our future leaders,” Blueford said.
Her son was killed by police officer Miguel Masso, who claimed Allen fired at him when he in fact he shot himself. Allen was unarmed.
The officer was not prosecuted in Allen’s death.
Blueford wants to see officers held to the same standards under the law as everyone else. She founded the Allen Blueford Center for Justice to help families deal with loss from police violence. “The police have rights but where are the rights of our young men,” she said.
