DIRECT ACTION/EVENTS

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!

FIRST NONVIOLENT MASS RALLY ON THE WADLEY GA. POLICE DEPARTMENT, JUNE 14TH, 2010

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.

Top Stories
June 24, 2010 Issue

SCLC marches in protest of Wadley police

Carol McLeod
Staff Writer
James Ivery, the president of the Jefferson County chapter of the SCLC, said they have received complaints from citizens about being harassed by police officers and having their civil rights violated.

About 25 people marched from the city’s community center to a small parking lot across the street from the police station. They held signs and chanted, “What do we want? Action. When do we need it? Now. Fired up. Fed up. No justice. No peace.”

The rally after the march lasted about an hour.

One of the speakers told the group, “The police force can’t do more than what we let them do.”

He then said to the police officers who were on hand for crowd control, “I appreciate that you would give your life for your citizens.”

Another speaker said, “This is not about the Wadley police department, this is about the leadership.”

Ivery said the event went as well as planned.
“We made a great impact,” he said.
Ivery said he is in the process of scheduling a public forum and hopes the city’s police chief, Wesley Lewis, can attend and discuss the issues.

Citizens in attendance at several of the most recent city council meetings have spoken out about the police department and are divided in their comments. Council members have said citizens have complained to them about being harassed by officers. Other citizens have stated during the public meetings that they support the chief and the department and think the officers are doing a great job.

Several city council members have said in public meetings they are opposed to Lewis and want him to be removed from office. They have not had enough support in council to veto the mayor, Herman Baker, from keeping Lewis on the job.

Ivery said in an interview Monday the forum is currently scheduled for Saturday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at the Wadley public library.

LETTERS
Wadley chief responds to march and SCLC claims

Dear Editor:

For the past couple of months, the Wadley Police Department has been the target of the criminals and their supporters. On June 19, 2010, the president of the Jefferson County chapter of the SCLC, James Ivery, led a march and protest against us. That was his right, which the department respected. He then trespassed against us by using slanderous statements and joined the staff at the rumor mill.

I am not writing this as the police chief, but rather as a citizen of Wadley. Some people believe that you give up your freedom of speech when you become a police officer, or that you may not disagree with political powers and private citizens alike. This is directly related to their over-inflated sense of self-importance within the community. When you stand against something you believe is wrong, those are the people who will use all types of tactics to accomplish the goal they have set out to reach. One of the main tactics used is character assassination, especially if the goal is to discredit someone

It would make sense that a man who considers himself a minister and civic leader would not stoop as low as Mr. Ivery did, but he did. The citizens of Jefferson County do not have to take my word for it. You may listen to his comments at the following website Uhurnews.com/uhuru (radio May 30, 2010).

He describes me as a bully, an overseer in the black community and being "worse than the KKK." These comments bothered me because he would not have made these statements had he taken the time to come to the department and meet with us. Before the rallies and march were scheduled to happen, Mr. Ivery had two separate appointments to meet with me. He stated he would come to the police department to view videos as well as records and listen to court recordings. The goal behind this meeting was to prevent bias and misguided ideas concerning Wadley Police Department.

Mr. Ivery informed me that no matter what evidence was presented to him, the march would continue as planned. Mr. Ivery also failed to inform the public that since last year all patrol cars and officers are equipped with cameras, meaning all cars have dash cams and each officer wears a camera on his shirt. If the department intended to violate civil rights, then why would this be? Guilty people do not surround themselves with cameras.

After all of the lies and rumors posted on Facebook, the Jefferson County Chapter of the SCLC website, and Uhurunews, he has scheduled a public forum in hopes that I would attend. It would have been courteous to ask me if I could attend on that date. Apparently, that is asking too much. Here are some questions Mr. Ivery would answer "no" to, if asked:

1. Did the SCLC speak with any Wadley police officer before its course of action? No.

2. Did the SCLC meet with the chief of police at any time during its fact finding? No.

Mr. Ivery has stated, "it ain’t over, think it’s a game," referring to his action against us. This department does not play games and we sincerely hope that he does not believe that anyone will resign because of his rally. He stated that we have violated the civil rights of citizens, in addition, committed criminal acts against them. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) handles police misconduct and criminal acts committed by law enforcement officers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handles civil rights violations of individuals. Please feel free to contact these agencies with any complaints you may have. I would like to see how many of the complaints are valid once they are investigated. I have faith that each complaint will be found invalid or false. These agencies will conduct interviews and polygraph testing of all involved, to determine the truth.

Mr. Ivery, your fact-finding has amounted to a modern day witch hunt. Out of more than 2000 citizens, less than .1 percent agrees with your course of action. The police department does not intimidate people. They only know the truth as to why you are slandering the police department, as well as other law enforcement agencies within the county.

The SCLC was founded by great civil rights leaders and activists to protect the rights of individuals and to secure constitutional rights for equality. They have no control over who chooses to continue carrying the torch; however, I am sure they would not want that person to be biased or be a party to hurling insults at other leaders and not attempting to be fair. Only you can stop the hatred that you have preached so much about. You have used misinformation, false statements and other actions to garner support. From all appearances, this has not worked in your favor. As a minister of the Gospel, you have a moral obligation to all, which you abandoned in support of self-interest. I am not upset with you or those who have associated themselves with you because my heart and soul are right with God.

We have remained strong through the trials and tribulations because God has been there with us the entire time. When our enemies prepared a weapon against us, it did not prosper because of God’s grace and mercy. Therefore, as children of God, the people of this department do not believe that God has brought us this far to leave us, nor will He put more on our shoulders than we can bear.

Sincerely,

Chief Wesley Lewis

JEFFERSON CO. GA. SCLC

A new day and a new way

JEFFERSON CO. GA. SCLC

*A new day and a new way*

A new day and a new way