[Peace] More "ammo" for letter to Champaign City Council

[Kranich, Kimberlie]

If the Champaign Police Department doesn't hesitate to draw 10 guns on two
Black teenage boys and their mother, why would they restrain themselves in
the use of Tasers or stun guns?  

The following letter-to-the-editor is one more example of how city police
humiliate, dehumanize and terrorize Black people locally and why we must
prevent the purchase of Tasers and demand an investigation into the
Champaign police department.


Kimberlie
*******************

2-5-04

TO the editor:

I am writing regarding a traumatizing Jan. 18 event.

My 15-year-old son, my 15-year-old nephew, and I were returning home in my
car.  A police officer followed is and, once I turned onto my street, turned
on his lights.

When I stopped in front of our house, a second police car arrived with
lights on.  When I looked out of the car window to ask what the problem
might be, a police officer said, "Put your head back in, or I'll fire."

My son used his cell phone to call my husband, who was in the house.  When
he came outside, he was told to step back or police would fire.  I was then
directed to step out of the car and walk with my hands up.  I was astonished
to see nearly 10 officers with their weapons aimed at me.

I was told to get into a police car and was asked who was in my car.  When I
informed them, officers ordered the two boys out of the vehicle. They were
handcuffed and placed in the back of police cars, whey they remained for
nearly one hour.

My husband later was finally informed police were investigating a robbery at
Market Place Mall and looking for three black males.

The victims of the crime were brought in and stated that the two boys were
not involved.  Then they were released without apology.

I was hospitalized that evening because of the anxiety I experienced.  When
I went to the police station to file a complaint, a sergeant there would not
take my complaint because he was among the officers who stopped me.

The next morning, I spoke with a higher-ranking officer, who informed me
that the sergeant should have taken my complaint.

I am appalled by this event. It was highly embarrassing, and common decency
should have prompted the officers to be apologetic.  Should citizens be prey
to overzealous, disrespectful law officers> I think not.

Signed,
Debra Williams (Champaign)_