Clergy, lawmakers and civic leaders joined together Monday morning to discuss recent examples of police brutality against minorities.
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Philadelphia Black Clergy and the Civic Guardian League held a news conference at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church at 1844 N. 32nd St. in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia.
The event specifically highlighted recent events including the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in New York City and 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio. During the conference, some of the leaders said they were frustrated with the attitude of some of the officers in their neighborhood.
"They arrive and step outside of their vehicle with their hands on their weapon and a tone of voice that is instantly provocative," said Reverend Robert Shine, the chairman of the African American Association for Corporate Responsibility (AAACR).
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told NBC10 reestablishing trust between officers and minority communities is essential. Ramsey was recently appointed by President Obama to co-chair his Task Force on 21st Century policing.
“We’ve been engaged in community policing for the last couple decades,” Commissioner Ramsey said. “But obviously some neighborhoods have been left behind. Some communities of color, communities that are greatly challenged by crime and disorder that feel that police are part of the problem.”
Basiymah Bey of Strawberry Mansion attended the event to hear what leaders plan to do to make changes going forward. After the conference, she told NBC10 she’s not convinced anything new beyond protests and press conferences will occur however.
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“Our young men are brutally, brutally, every weekend, attacked by police in this community,” Bey said. “It’s like a quiet storm.”
Leaders said there must be police training, education and policy changes going forward.
