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SCLC holds rallies, march in Louisville Ga.

 

At each event several speakers, including James Ivery, the president of the Jefferson County chapter of the SCLC, addressed the group.

Ivery said he got a call on June 28 from a citizen who said police had grabbed a man named Christopher Walden, 28, handcuffed him and used excessive force during an arrest.

While Louisville council members met in an executive session, closed to the public, to discuss suspending the officers from active duty during the GBI’s investigation into the accusations of brutality, SCLC members gathered at St. Matthews AME Church to discuss the situation.

Ivery said Walden was Tased twice and hit several times with a police baton.

“They did what they were supposed to do, but they went beyond that,” said Ivery. “This was nothing short of police assault, excessive force and flagrant police brutality.”

Ivery said police claimed Walden resisted arrest by attempting to get up off the ground when he was handcuffed.

“His natural reaction from what they were doing to him, they called that resistance,” said Ivery.

Rev. Bensord Stellmacher of the Atlanta chapter of the SCLC said they were going to get the case against Walden dismissed and then have his record expunged.

“We could easily be sitting here at a wake tonight. They could have killed that young man,” he said. “I get calls all the time, people been killed.”

Stellmacher spoke to the young people in the crowd, telling them that they needed to get a job.

Stellmacher had been among those who asked the council to place the officers on leave and had waited outside city hall for the decision.

“As of tomorrow morning, the two officers will be suspended,” Stellmacher announced to those gathered at the church.

His words were met by thunderous applause and cheering.

“Louisville is safe again!” shouted one citizen.

Councilwoman Sherri Combs was invited to speak at the rally and was introduced as the councilwoman who made the motion to suspend the two officers.

She asked that Ivery get the statements he took from witnesses to the GBI as soon as possible to aid in their investigation.

“To those of you who are going to make statements, you are going to be asked to talk to the GBI. Do not back down,” Combs said. “That is the only way this will be resolved.”

Stellmacher said the council was going to re-establish a citizens review board in the city. He said the SCLC had asked their attorney to contact the mayor about the review board.

“Let’s stay together. Let’s be strong,” said Brother Eugene Washington. “Let’s stay focused and let’s get the job done.”

Stellmacher encouraged everyone to come out and take part in the march on Saturday, July 16.

Around 20 SCLC members and supporters gathered at Jefferson Hospital Saturday morning and began their march to the county courthouse hoisting hand-made signs with slogans like “Stop Police Brutality,” “Stop sexism-racism,” and “We march for jobs, justice and peace.”

Along the way SCLC leaders paused to speak to those residents who stopped to watch the protesters encouraging them to join the march for their children’s futures.

The protesters were escorted by both the county sheriff’s office and the city police department whose officers alleged actions they were protesting.

At the courthouse SCLC leaders held a rally in which they called out local officials they felt were not doing their part to help support their community and talked about their plans for a voter registration drive.

Ivery said the organization plans to hold a meeting with local officials to address the group’s concerns.

The local chapter’s executive secretary addressed the crowd and called for mutual respect.

“You treat the officers with respect,” she told those gathered. “Don’t fight your case on the side of the road. Don’t give them a reason to disrespect you. Those officers, they have families. They have children. And it’s their obligation to protect us. It starts with you guys creating a safe community. We have to take pride in our community. We have to take back our community. The police work for us.”

  Officers suspended while GBI investigates accusations of brutality

By Bonnie K. Sargent
Apprentice

The Louisville City council voted last week to put two of its police officers on suspension with pay until the Georgia Bureau of Investigation finishes an investigation in charges of police brutality.

GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Pat Morgan said Tuesday the agency is continuing that investigation.

 

“It’s still active,” Morgan said. “Once our case is complete, the file will be turned over to the district attorney.”

The council unanimously voted to place the officers on suspension after an hour-long executive session July 12.

Prior to going into executive session, several members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference addressed the council.

More than 50 citizens filed into city hall to hear from the SCLC members, filling all the chairs in the meeting area and spilling into the hallway.

James Ivery, president of the Jefferson County Chapter of the SCLC, thanked the council for giving the group the opportunity to talk.

“Grave injustices have been created in Louisville, straight out of the Louisville Police Department,” he said.

Ivery said the SCLC was there in reference to two city police officers who allegedly brutalized a man named Christopher Walden in June. Ivery said two officers, Officer Elliott Kline and Officer James Boatright, used excessive physical force and brutally beat a man who was not resisting arrest.

“It was unprovoked, flagrant police brutality,” Ivery said, adding that the event was witnessed by at least a dozen people. “The actions of these two officers have turned the city of Louisville into a hostile environment.”

Ivery told the council the SCLC found in an investigation that one of the officers had been terminated in Savannah because of racial discrimination and sexual harassment.

Ivery requested that the two officers be put on administrative leave, pending the results of an investigation from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Mayor Larry Morgan said the incident had been turned over to the GBI.

“It’s basically out of our hands until their findings are complete,” said Morgan.

“That’s like asking the fox to guard the henhouse,” said one citizen, in reference to the GBI’s investigation.

The citizen suggested that the city of Louisville establish a citizens’ review board so that the citizens will feel like someone is listening to them. She said a review board would act as an independent body that could review any complaints.

Councilwoman Sherry Combs said she had spoken to the mayor about the citizens review board before and they already had one in place. The mayor said it came about from a grant several years ago, but they had not met in a while. Combs said they would work on getting it resurrected.

Bensord Stellmacher, of the Atlanta Chapter of the SCLC, also addressed the council.

“These acts of violence are happening all over the country,” Stellmacher said. “And we’re fighting wildfires with garden hoses.”

The mayor said he was willing to meet with them.

“My door is open,” he said. “We’re going to get this worked out.”

Ivery asked again about the two officers not being allowed to work while they were under investigation. Morgan said the council would have to vote to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters like that. The council voted to hold an executive session after they finished with everything on the agenda for the regular meeting.

“I want to say that we absolutely will not tolerate police brutality,” said Councilman Phil Polhill. “But we also know that there are two sides to every story.”

According to the incident report filed by Officer Kline, Walden approached by officers after being identified by several juveniles as the man who had provided them with firecrackers.

“Walden told officers that he didn’t have any firecrackers and attempted to walk away from the officers,” the report reads. “While doing so he removed something from his pants pocket and tossed it towards the patrol car. Officers grabbed Walden by the wrist in an attempt to detain him and he swung in an attempt to strike the officers. Walden was arrested after a brief struggle and charged with obstruction of an officer and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.”

Another citizen, Michelle Braddy Reaves, addressed the council. Reaves had been to a council meeting in April, where she told police that the same officers had been harassing her son.

“I feel that if something had been done then, it would not have escalated to this point,” she said. “I’m just hoping that all of this is not going to a deaf ear.”

Another citizen stated that the two officers needed to be put on administrative leave. “They need to be put on leave, to calm down the neighborhood,” he said.

After discussing the other items on the agenda, the council voted to go into executive session to discuss the two officers. The citizens were asked to wait outside.

More than 50 people waited outside city hall while the council was in executive session. Several of them wore shirts that read, “I am Christopher Walden.”

After the executive session, the council called everyone back. By that time, the majority of the people had left to attend the SCLC rally at St. Matthews AME Church.

The mayor said no motion was taken during the executive session. Combs made a motion that the two officers be placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. Councilman Larry Atkins seconded the motion. The motion was passed.

“The decision you made will certainly help keep the community intact,” said Stellmacher. “It shows the citizens that they have leaders who care.”

Council also discussed a new police policies and procedures manual. Stellmacher inquired if there were guidelines on how to handle situations such as the one with Walden. City Administrator Don Rhodes said there were. Stellmacher asked if a citizen could purchase a copy of the manual.

“Certainly,” said Rhodes. “In fact, it’s probably online.”

Rhodes said in an interview that the new manual had nothing to do with the brutality case.

“This has been in the works now for at least a year and a half, maybe more,” said Rhodes.

The next city council meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at city hall and will be open to the public.

 
OUR MISSION: To inform, support, unite and promote the residents of Jefferson and Glascock counties.

Top Stories
August 11, 2011 Issue

• Industries give city deadline

• First day jitters

• GBI releases report on brutality investigation

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JEFFERSON COUNTY AND  RICHMOND COUNTY GA. SCLC

http://www.wrdw.com/video/?

http://www.wrdw.com/video/?

Louisville Police asking GBI to investigate police brutality claim amid controversy  

Louisville Police asking GBI to investigate police brutality claim  

Click on wrdw above for video

Jefferson Co. SCLC addresses  issue of police brutality in Louisville Ga.-July 6 2011

 

The Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter SCLC President, Minister James Ivery

was called by citizens of the Jefferson County, Louisville Ga. Community

to address an issue involving the Louisville City Police department and

Christopher Walden a citizen residing in Louisville.

A grave injustice has been committed in Jefferson Co., Louisville Ga. by Two Louisville Ga. Police officers of the Louisville Ga. Police Department, Officers Boatwright, and Officer Kline.

The call came into the Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC office approx 1445 on June 28. I, Minister James Ivery president of the Chapter received the call from a citizen of Louisville Ga. who stated that the Louisville Police Grabbed a 20 year old black male named Christopher Walden, on the corner of broad street across from the Library at a auto repair shop, hand cuffed him and committed police brutality and excessive force upon him without him resisting.

On June 29 2011 Approx. 11:00 a.m., I arrived in Louisville and begin a Fact Finding Mission into this complaint, I interviewed  a dozen or more people, men women and children and all of their accounts of the incident corroborated with each other as to what they had eye witnessed. I asked each witness that I had talked to, to put their statements in writing while it was still clear in their minds.

After hearing the community complaints on the two police officers and their actions I went to the Sheriff’s Department to inquire about Christopher Walden and if possible to see him for an interview, at the sheriff’s office I was told that Christopher had been released and had been charged with obstruction and weed.

From the Sheriff’s department I went to the Louisville Police department to talk to the chief of police about the incident, but found that the chief was out or at lunch.

I went to the home of Christopher and had an interview with him and his family.

I visually observed Christopher and noticed a tall skinny dark skinned male, face swollen and a large bruise on his right shoulder, observing his head area, I noticed a knot or swelling above his left eye and a large swollen bloodshot right eye area, Immediately I took my camera phone and took pictures and was assisted by a family member who used a digital camera. I asked Christopher and his Mother to put in writing everything that happened to them that day from beginning to end, in the incident created by the two Louisville police officers.

After hearing Christopher’s Account of what happened to him on June 28 2011, and the corroborations of witnesses statements, I have decided that this community issue with the Louisville Police department warrants the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC to address this issue because I find that the witnesses accounts, the victim’s account and the injuries sustained to him corroborates the actions of the officers.

I find that at this time these officers after hand cuffing Christopher’s hands behind his back without him resisting, showed due process of law enforcement, but they went beyond that, and that was slamming Christopher to the ground, mashing his head into the hot asphalt, officer Klein hitting him directly into his right eye with a closed fist, being tased twice, being hit numerous times with police patons, thrown into the police car and sprayed with mace or gas, along with verbal assaults, this was nothing short of simple assault, excessive force, and blatant police brutality all done in the present of dozens of eyewitnesses, and as there were no direct resisting from the victim while his hands were cuffed behind his back, only the movements of his humanly uncontrolled body reactions from the officers excessive physical abuse.

Due to the many complaints from the citizens of Louisville Ga. about Officer Boatwright and Officer Kline of their ongoing harassment, Police brutality, verbal abuse, and like of respect for the people they are sworn to protect and serve, the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC hereby seek the termination of these officers from the Louisville Ga. police department to take effect immediately.

What led to the arrest

From my investigation, I found that there were some younger children playing with fire crackers and setting them off, complaints came to the city police department, the two officers responded at 1145 on their way to lunch, when the officers asked where they got the fire crackers, one little boy said that he got them from "Bicept", Christopher Walden, the officers found Christopher and asked him for I.D., and inquired about the fireworks, Christopher said he didn't know anything about fireworks, that's when they grabbed him and threw him against their car.

     

SCLC MARCH ON WADLEY GA. POLICE DEPARTMENT!

Dear Editor,

The Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC would like to take this time to respond to the Wadley Ga. citizens, the wadley Ga. Police department and city hall forum, held on July 17th, 2010 at the Wadley ga. branch library.

On my way to the Forum I felt the need to pray and as I prayed I ask the question, how and in what manner should I make the forum justifiable for all the people of Wadley Ga.

I am a community leader and the president of the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC, sworn into this position by Judge Bobby Reeves and ordained by God himself to carry out the duties of this office, to be fair, judgemental, honest, and to seek the most prominent recourse for the citizens of Jefferson Co. regardless of race, color, national orgin, or creed.

A difficult challenge to address the issuse, complaints, and concerns of the citizens of Wadley Ga. gripped my heart and tugged at my soul.

I asked the Holy Spirit of God to lead and guide that forum, because I felt like Solomon when he had to decide what mother will get the baby that wasn't killed, you know the story.

The room was full with citizens, council members, SCLC, Wadley police officer and the chief Mr. Wesley Lewis.

As the forum begin I could feel the hostility in the room, the anticipations of finger pointing, the SCLC Chairman and chaplain opened the meeting with a prayer and the meeting bagan.

I begin by letting everyone know the reason that we were there and presented the many complaints that had reached our chapter to be addressed and to seek solutions between the police department and the citizens of Jefferson Co.

After the many complaints had been presented, the chief of police had his chance to address the many complaints leveled against him and his department, the council members responded, the citizens responded, sometimes the forum appeared to get out of control as words of anger found it's way back and forth across the room, but control was quickly returned.

After every one who wanted to vent and voice their complaints was done, the SCLC chapter's Vice President Mr. Bobby Adams took the floor to speak, and as he spake I begin to feel and see the Holy Spirit of God move arround the room touching everyone there, much like what you see when fire works are going off on a fourth of July celebration.

As the words of wisdom flowed from his mouth they seem to embed themselves into everyone there, I knew it was the Holy Spirit working it's majic because I had felt that Spirit move many, many times before in my life.

The words of forgiveness, love, unity, healing, working together for the children of Jefferson Co., and Christian duty appeared to have found their way into everyone's heart and soul.

After Mr. Adams had finish delivering the word of God, everyone, and I mean every one some with tears rolling down their cheeks even I myself found tears welling up in my eyes, I looked over at Council member Maye to find tears in his eyes, I looked over at Chief Lewis's Wife and the same tears were falling from her eyes, everyone appeared to be at peace and forgiving.

everyone begin to fellowship, shake hands, give hugs, and forgive one another and start anew all over again to make Wadley the city that all cities to envy and be like, I tell you I witnessed a miracle in that room. I stood with two pages of complaints in my hand and when I opened my mouth, I could only say, "You have heard the word of God, and as I fought back the tears, I held the complaints up high in front of me and ripped the papers apart, signifing that the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC had no other choice but to forgive also, and all complaints are

non-void and we will not pursue this matter anymore but will continue to monitor as the Wadley Ga. Citizens move forward with a renewed faith, trust, and forgiveness, to make Wadley a better place for it's citizens and the children.

Upon closing of the meeting, I was about to ask our Chairman/chaplain to close out with a prayer but the Spirit spoke to me and said, ask Wesley to close with a prayer and let me tell you his prayer was one of a changed man even though I had never witness any of the complaints the citizens had brought to the SCLC chapter.

After the closing of the Forum, there were a jubilee type celebration among all, still hugging, and shaking hands with love and peace. Thank you so much for your time.

Minister James Ivery

President, Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC

God bless Wadley, Bless America, and God bless the world

UHURU radio interview with (Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC  President), minister James Ivery on the mass nonviolent march and rally on the Wadley Ga. Police Department and City Hall.
J.O.M.O. (Junta of Militant Organization) UHURU plans to march in protest with the Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC on June 19th in Wadley Ga.

Click on play

Uhuru Radio : Play : SCLC struggles against police violence in Jefferson County, GA

 RED ALERT! RED ALERT!

It's Direct Action Movement Time!

The Jefferson County Ga. Chapter of the SCLC has launched a "DIRECT ACTION CAMPAIGN" on the Wadley Ga. Police Department, citing that the department is plaqued with violence, Harassment, and police brutality on the Citizens of Wadley which has plunged the City into a "HOSTILE ENVIORMENT"

The Jefferson County Ga. SCLC along with Wadley Citizens will march in protest on the police department demanding Justice, that Chief Wesley Lewis and officer Worman be fired or resign immediately, and that the whole police department be overhauled.

This movement is calling on all concern Citizens, Clergies, and Civil rights Organizations to join in on this first amendment rights to address and resolve these issues in our community.

The protest march will begin at the old Wadley School and end at City Hall where a protest Rally will ensue.

Date......June 19th, 2010

Time.....10:00 A.M.

Contact: 706-394-1868

E-mail: jeffcogasclc@hotmail.com

COMPLAINTS OF JEFFERSON CO. GA. LAW ENFORCEMENT
As soon as the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the SCLC was established in Jefferson Co. Ga. in 2007, the chapter started receiving numerous complaints about the law enforcements of the county, the complaints came from citizens and employees of the police departments in Louisville, Wrens, and Wadley.
Our chapter had no choice but to take these allegations serious, therefore the chapter launched a fact finding mission which stretched over a period of three years.
Most of the fact finding was done with a SCLC watchful eye of all three police departments, also continous talking with citizens and law enforcement employees and listening to their complaints.
The complaints mounted with the following:
Jefferson Co. Ga. Citizens
1.Police brutality
2.Police Harassment
3.police Injustice
4.Illegal tasing
5.Racial Profiling
6.More arrests for blacks/ to whites of crimes committed in Jefferson Co. Ga.
7.Gross violation of citizens civil rights
8.Violations of citizens to do process of law when being detained or arrested.
9.Lawenforcement not responding or delayed responding to Citizens 911 calls for crimes being committed in the community
10.Police retailation on Jefferson Co. Citizens for reporting police crimes.
11.Police intimidations on the Citizens of Jefferson Co. Ga.

Police departments employees and Citizens
1.Police officers making arrests in the black community of drug dealers, taking the drugs and money,keeping the money for themselves, and taking the drugs that were comfiscated and redirecting to dealers of their choice to be resold on the streets of Jefferson Co. for their own profits.
2.Sales of cell phones and drugs to prison inmates of Jefferson Co.Ga., some say phones sold for as high as $400.00.
3.Crimes committed by Law Enforcment on Jefferson Co. Ga. Citizens are covered up or fixed to achieve justification.
4.Preferential ticket fixing or dissmisal of traffic violations
5.Use of deadly force or excessive force
6.improper use of tasers
THESE COMPLAINTS CALLS FOR LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS, IN WHICH THE JEFFERSON CO. GA. CHAPTER SCLC INTENDS TO SEEK, EXPEDITIOUSLY!

The first planned Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC nonviolent direct action campaign for justice in Wadley Ga. on the Wadley Ga. Police Department went as expected and was very productive.

Complaints came in verbally and written about the WPD, complaints stemmed from police harassment, police brutality, police intimidations and police violations of people civil and constitutional rights.

complaints also was heard that the mayor, Mr. Herman Baker should resign because he stands behind Mr. Lewis and his strong arm tatics of harassment, brutality, intimidations, and violations of the people civil rights.

I also heard that the Black people in Wadley really want to come out, voice their complaints and support this campaign but are reluctant because they fear intimidation and retailiation from the Wadley Police Department.

But I say that fear should not be a barrier when it comes to your civil rights, every body should stand up and demand their rights like the constitution says, if anyone has been treated less than human by any judicial system should always voice there complaints and stand up for their rights.

Injustice anywhere and on any one is a direct threat to justice on anyone everywhere, even if it's only one person.

I have since received some e-mails and phone calls alike that the Jefferson Co. Chapter SCLC should leave Mr. Baker( the Mayor) and Mr. Lewis and his police department alone, that they are doing a great job policing and getting drugs off the streets of Wadley,

Again I say that is wonderful, that is great, but policing drug dealers and getting drugs off the streets of Wadley shouldn't come at the expense of police harassment, police brutality, police  racial profiling, police intimidations or police violations of people civil and constitutional rights!

The Mass March for justice will go on as planned in the City of Wadley on june 19th, at 10:00 am Saturday morning and our demands that Chief Lewis resign or be fired and the entire police department be overhauled at once still stands.

June 15th, 2010

The Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter SCLC

Minister James Ivery.......President

MASS MARCH AND RALLY ON WADLEY GA. POLICE DEPARTMENT, JUNE 19TH, 2010

OUR MISSION: To inform, support, unite and promote the residents of Jefferson and Glascock counties.

SCLC marches in protest of Wadley police