[Peace] This week: No More Stolen Lives! Justice for Kiwane Carrington!

[Brian Dolinar]

Hello all.


It is important we not wait for an investigation  to be completed into the
police killing of Kiwane Carrington.

We know Champaign police should not be pulling guns on 15 year olds!

We all - black, brown, and white - must make it clear that this is
unacceptable in our town.


Please help us keep the pressure on at events this week:


Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7pm: public comment at Champaign City Council



Thursday, Oct. 22: National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality! Wear
Black!

                4pm: Meet at Illinois Terminal for march to Champaign police
station

                5pm: Speak out at Boys and Girls Club to record personal
testimonies of police misconduct

Fire Finney Now! Prosecute Norbits! Drop the charges against Jeshaun!

BD


Champaign police say it will take a month for an investigation into the
“officer-involved shooting” of Kiwane Carrington, an unarmed 15 year-old
African American youth. There has been an outpouring of support for young
Kiwane from friends and family who knew him. The community anxiously awaits
an answer to what happened that rainy afternoon.



On Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, Champaign police responded to a reported burglary
on 906 W. Vine St. The first to arrive on the scene was Champaign Police
Chief R.T. Finney who confronted two 15 year olds in the backyard. Classes
in the READY program that Kiwane attended were cancelled that day for
teacher instruction. Kiwane, whose mother passed away last year from
pancreatic cancer, was staying at his aunt’s home. He had eaten breakfast
there that morning. When he arrived home in the afternoon, the house was
locked and he had forgotten his key. It was raining outside and the two were
looking for shelter.



When Chief Finney arrived at approximately 1:20 p.m., he knew only that a
neighbor had reported a burglary. Soon after, a witness reportedly heard
police yelling out, “Get on the ground. Get on the ground.” It had been
raining for two days and the ground was wet and muddy. When one of the youth
tried to walk away, Finney grabbed him and a struggle ensued.



Another officer appeared on the scene, Daniel Norbits, a 14 year veteran of
the force. Although neither of the 15 year-old boys had a weapon, Norbits
apparently drew his gun and, according to a press statement released Friday
night by Champaign police, it “was discharged resulting in the fatal
wounding of one of the subjects.” An autopsy showed that the bullet went
through Kiwane’s left elbow and passed through his heart.



The *News-Gazette *has reported that Norbits had previously been involved in
the case of Greg Brown, a developmentally disabled man who died of a heart
attack after he was beaten in an alley by Champaign police back in 2000.
Witnesses said they heard Brown calling out for help that night.



Virtually no other information has been provided by the Champaign police
about Kiwane’s death, saying they do not want to impede the investigation
headed by the Illinois State Police. Yet Chief Finney was on the scene and
saw everything that happened. Did Norbits follow policy as practiced by the
Champaign Police Department? Is it police policy to pull guns on youth? Or
is this just the way that Champaign police treat black youth? Chief Finney
must reveal the truth of what occurred that day. To remain silent only fuels
suspicion. For Kiwane’s family, it adds insult to injury.



Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice (CUCPJ) held a press
conference on Monday, October 12 at the Independent Media Center. Present
were Kenesha Williams, legal guardian and older sister of Kiwane, Christine
Williams, grandmother, his aunt Rhonda, Deborah Thomas, owner of the house
where the incident occurred, Laura Manning, mother of the other youth
involved, Aaron Ammons, co-founder of CUCPJ, Terry Townsend, longtime
community activist, Seon Williams, owner of The Whip barbershop, and Dr.
Evelyn Underwood, President of the Ministerial Alliance.



Behind them was a line of Kiwane’s friends holding signs that read, “We want
answers.” One of the youth stepped up to address the cameras: “All them
police are real slick with them badges. Y’all see this on cameras, but you
don’t see what we see every day. Y’all don’t see how they come harass us
every day on the block. I get to the point I get harassed by my first name.
I come outside, they follow me to the gas station. That’s not cool for
nobody to live their life. Every boy behind me has been harassed by
Champaign’s finest.”



The story of Kiwane’s death at ucimc.org was receiving 1,000 hits per day
after the incident. Some of those who knew him left messages. One of them
wrote, “God bless you Kiwane and your mother. May both of you rest in peace
together.”



On Wednesday night, October 14, a large vigil was held at the house where
the shooting occurred. Several hundred youth, neighborhood residents, and
community members came to pay their respects to the memory of Kiwane. After
the vigil, the crowd marched up Prospect Ave., many of the youth spilling
into the street. Champaign County Sheriff’s deputies were there to direct
traffic (Champaign police were nowhere to be seen). The crowd was managed by
several members of the Nation of Islam who had come from Chicago and
throughout the region to serve as security for the event.



Many filled the congregation hall at New Hope Church of God to hear State
Senator and Vice-President of Operation Push, Rev. James Meeks give a
rousing speech. Meeks lamented the death of young Kiwane. “This is what it
sounds like,” he preached, “when blood cries.” He insisted that the
community seek answers, “Put the police department on notice that we aren’t
going to accept open season on Negro people.” Meeks called for an
independent police review board, which Urbana has established but Champaign
has refused to accept. “The worst thing in the world,” Meeks said, “is to
have the police police the police.” He also demanded more black officers be
hired on the police force.



The second 15 year old involved has been released from juvenile detention.
The charge of burglary was dropped, but State’s Attorney Julia Rietz has
decided to prosecute him for aggravated resisting a police officer, a felony
which carries a possible three-year sentence. His next court date is
November 12.



A memorial fund has been set up at Busey Bank for anyone who would like to
contribute. Donations can be dropped off at any Busey Bank location or you
can call 367-4500.



For video and audio of the press conference at the IMC, as well as
up-to-date information, go to ucimc.org.

-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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