The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Nearly 200 people marched to City Hall on Tuesday night to protest the fatal police shooting of James "Gucci" Dennis, chanting for "justice."
The march, led by men and women wearing Black Panther symbols, some in T-shirts that read "Seven City Panthers," drew young and old. Marchers met at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza at Church Street and Brambleton Avenue and headed through downtown carrying signs such as "Stop police abuse now." Police officers in cruisers and on bicycles stopped rush-hour traffic for them at intersections.
Afterward, several people, including Dennis' parents, a pastor and an NAACP official, addressed the City Council during its meeting.
Some spoke about distrust of the police and called for an outside investigation. Others raised broader questions, asking if more oversight should be in place.
Dennis, 21, was killed by gunfire in Stanwix Square, a neighborhood just off Newtown Road, in October. His death remains under investigation, and a special grand jury is to hear evidence next week.
Police have said that Dennis was shooting a weapon and that officers in a nearby neighborhood rushed over on foot and "verbally challenged" him. Police said he turned toward them, pointing the gun, and was shot.
The case was investigated by police and turned over to Commonwealth's Attorney Jack Doyle. At his request, a special grand jury will hear the case next week.
Amanda Howie, a spokeswoman for Doyle's office, has said the special grand jury was "just an extension of the investigative process" and noted that the case had conflicting reports.
Chief Bruce P. Marquis has expressed confidence that the officers will be exonerated.
Dennis' mother, Sharon Gorham, addressed the council Tuesday night, his father, James, at her side.
Gorham said her son lost his life to "those who are sworn to serve and protect him."
She said she heard that her son was shot "with his hands in the air from the back," and she asked for an "outside investigation."
Norfolk NAACP President James Rivers told the council that the city should establish a citizens oversight committee to review the department. That would help to re-establish trust, he said.
Afterward, Rivers said he had previously spoken with Marquis about the concept and that Marquis was opposed to it.
The Rev. Joe Flores of the Perfecting Saints Worship Center in Virginia Beach, not far from the shooting scene, spoke about a "chasm of mistrust by many African Americans of police agencies that is rooted in police-sanctioned violence against people of color."
The council should hold public hearings about race and police violence, he said.
Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com
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In addition Mr. ApproxAm
Let me restate the goal of our march to city hall in order to address your comparison of the “pizza Bandit” to our Mr. James Dennis. WE ARE FIGHTING TO PROVE THAT THOSE TWO OFFICERS ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH! They are simply lying to save their jobs. Those two men were called on the scene and encountered what you even called a “STRESSFUL SITUATION” to which they acted irrationally. Now I don’t know if you have ever worked a job, but when hired to work a job you are trained initially to handle all situations whether “stressful or customary.” While on the job you are expected to remember that training and to act accordingly. If you are found unfit for the job then you must answer to your shortcomings. We want the truth not lies, Mr. ApproxAm. That is why I marched to city hall and I will march again if needed!!
To Mr.ApproxAm
It’s obvious that the moment you read “Seven Cities Panthers” you ASS-U-MED that the march had something to do with racism. It’s not your fault though the article was written that way in order to steer your thinking in that direction. The author of this story deserves all the credit for the postings of ANGER, RAGE, and RACISM as he could have taken the high road and presented the facts minus HIS PERSONAL OPINIONS.
Mr. ApproxAm you have a lot of nerve to talk about the NAACP. As a member of the NAACP I can tell you that as an organization we have several education programs and initiatives devoted to schools and families. One troublesome event that was extinguished by the NAACP was a recent attempt to re-segregate public education in Omaha, Nebraska. Following the passage of a law by the Nebraska legislature to separate school districts by race, it was the NAACP who filed a lawsuit which stopped the plan. As far as the NAACP saving that death row inmate, that case involving the airman implicated a cover up. The lawyer revealed that the witness was coached to ensure that the man would receive the death penalty.
glengatti why aren't you helping
Glengatti shines light on a critical problem in today's society in ALL races. He/she says "my mother is in low income housing ... she's barely able to survive off her meager retirement ...". So I ask YOU Glengatti, why aren't YOU helping HER? Why would you let her live in housing you complain she shouldn't? Step up to the plate. Be an adult. Why aren't family members sticking around or sticking together to help each other? In those cultures that do, the wealth is higher. I sure wouldn't let my mom or dad live in subsidized housing in a dangerous neighborhood. I'd give up my bed and sleep on the couch. And if I only had a couch I'd give that up and sleep on the floor. Our communities are breaking down and we keep wanting to point the finger at someone else, when we should be looking at our own families and asking how can we strengthen them. Its YOUR job to house, feed, educate and protect YOUR family. Moms AND DADS, DO IT! Be part of the solution, stop whining and stop being part of the problem.
bcgeorge forgot group C
Group C (European traders) purchased human beings (Group B) from captors in Africa (also Group B), to sell to group A. So what is new about this in the modern age? The Black Panthers, NAACP, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton and the like, are in the business of keeping people of color as victims. Without black victims, these non-profit organizations have no purpose and will close their doors? Non-profit is a bit misleading, when the leaders of such organizations, are wealthy beyond belief. Where then would Jessie and Al continue to generate income to support their lavish lifestyles?
Great Points
Great points Amy and ApprxAm
..Continued
Or until the closed minded individuals of both groups who spew this reciprocated hatred die off, this cycle will just continue through eternity.
Not to justify racism....
....but like everything else in life, it was created from a series of events.
- Group A goes to Continent B (home of Group B), puts Group B on a ship and brings them to Continent A.
- Group B is forced to live and work in a foreign land with no monetary compensation.
- To keep Group B "in its place" Group A berates and belittles Group B for years and years
- Members of Group A finally see the wrong of what's going on and eventually puts an end to it.
- Other members of Group A, upset over the "cheap" labor that is no more, lashes out at Group B and decides to berate and oppress them as a way of "getting even" for not having their way. This goes on for many generations.
- Group B angered over the treatment recieved from Group A, develops a hatred for Group A as a result. This also goes on for generations.
- Members of both Group A and Group B decide that the two groups should work together for racial harmony. Unfortunately, remnants of the attitudes that members of both groups shared still remain to this day.
- Until these attitudes get nipped in the bud and not passed on to future generations (or until the Group A and Group B members who spew this reciprocat
Wisdom of Bill Cosby
Let's cure the underlying problems that lead to neighborhood violence and distrust of police. Could it be that the lack of fathers in a community leads to distrust of the male police (no matter what race) because of the absentee fathers. Quoting Bill Cosby (actor & Doctor of Education) "I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was 2? Where were you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol? And where is the father?". I'd add, where you marching to encourage fathers to stay with their children or were you taking advantage of the single women in your community? Were you marching to support teachers or did you blame the teacher for his bad grades and missing homework, and why weren't marching to keep your children home at night and in bed at 9:00 pm instead of allowing them to roam the streets? Stop wasting times blaming others when your home is in chaos and missing its father.
MSTYNITTY
I applaud your victory and spirit! Please pass it on.
Rude protectionism
A_LADY_to_KNOW & MSTYN....Stop it!
IT's obvious that the moment someone calls it like it is, they're either a racist or "Uncle Tom" and it is clear that objectivity rubs you two the wrong way. Mr. Dennis was unjustified in his actions as was the "pizza Bandit" in VA Bch. In both cases the police involved shot armed men during stressful situations, how would you do better under those conditions. Even though those that knew them are in pain and morning, we, as a people, can no longer champion men like these.
The NAACP has done nothing to improve the lives of law abiding black children in poor neighborhoods and poor performing schools. So as an organization, they have no more credibility than those Panthers walking and chantting for the imfamous. These fellows are enimies to hard working and troubled black citizen and they need help from the NAACP and are not getting it. The last time I heard ffrom the NAACP was when they were defending the legal rights of that deathrow imate who killed an American airman who serves this country and by extention, black people.
So ladies, please.