Events Calendar
In This Section
7 rescued after New York home invasion; suspect killed
Man confesses to shooting Kan. abortion provider
Injured hiker dies while awaiting help
Officials say woman had 20 dogs buried in yard
Hospital says Fort Hood shooting suspect awake, talking
New York man holds 7 hostages at gunpoint overnight
Army says Fort Hood shooting suspect in critical, stable condition
Transit moving again in Philly after 6-day strike
Most Read Stories
Unusual sports bar to be sold at auction
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Bank helps more save their homes
Circle K on Brown Street robbed
Woman says clinic refused to help her get pregnant because she's not married
Blogs:
Pets:
Cats are trainable — and that's not a punchline
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Time for Kokinis, Browns to agree and part ways
Akron Zips:
Zips tip off tomorrow
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Walsh Jesuit’s Caponi commits to Duquesne
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Abortion Analogies
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
Family, friends of Akron man slain by officers march to City Council meeting, want police chief to resign
By Connie Bloom and Carl Chancellor
Beacon Journal staff writers
Published on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
The family and friends of Jeffery Stephens Sr. prayed and sang outside Akron City Hall on Monday evening after marching from the site where he was killed by police July 5.
The peaceful protest and ''civil rights demonstration'' began with a pocket of 50 people at Thornton Street and Celina Avenue and swelled to about 300 before it stepped off at 5 p.m.
Marchers arrived at the Municipal Building just before the City Council meeting was about to begin.
Just 30 of the marchers were allowed to come inside.
They wore T-shirts with photos of Stephens inscribed ''Gone but not forgotten.''
Stephens, a self-employed landscaper and father of 12, was killed when police were responding to a 911 call about a fight with ''weapons involved'' at a Celina Avenue home. The call was made by Stephens' wife, Seata, who says she is still too grief-stricken to speak about the tragedy.
At a news conference last week, Akron Police Chief Michael Matulavich said the shooting was ''100 percent justified.''
Marchers also carried signs with names of others who have died in incidents involving
police, including Demetrus Vinson on March 17, 2007.
The marchers were peaceful, prayerful and hot in the blazing sun.
They were asking for change at the top, including the resignation of the chief of police, who bows to the affluent but does not serve people of color and poor whites, said organizer John R. Beaty, a retired United Methodist minister. They asked that the officers involved in the shooting be held accountable and for the formation of an independent citizen review board.
Marchers were of all ages. They included babies in strollers and an 80-year-old white couple. Some came in cars but most endured the two-mile hike carrying white napkins to symbolize they are nonviolent ''and do not want to be targets to be neutralized,'' said Beaty.
Inside council chambers, Johnson ''Buddy'' Stephens, the wife of his slain brother at his side, calmly told council members that he and his family need answers.
Did police use proper restraint? Why did it take five days to come up with their (police) findings? Can police officers (be made to) take a polygraph?—were just some of the questions Stephens quietly asked.
Before Stephens addressed the council, the Rev. Marc Neal, of the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, said the shooting of Stephens at the hands of police and the shooting death over the weekend of a Twinsburg police officer are ''tragic situations'' that cry out for ''truth, justice and honesty'' to prevail.
''We have to make sure that there is a thorough investigation for this family,'' Neal said, looking at the Stephens family that filled the back rows of council chambers.
Marco Sommerville, council president, promised that Johnson Stephens' questions would be answered.
''It is so hard to get to the truth for a variety of reasons. . . . But I have confidence in the police auditor and he has not made a statement yet,'' said Sommerville.
However, Sommerville did have a problem with the statement made last week by Police Chief Michael Matulavich, who called the shooting ''100 percent justified.''
''That disturbs me. That was a wrong statement,'' said Sommerville to a chorus of ''amens'' from Stephens' family members.
Sommerville said he wants to know ''what commands were given'' by police when they confronted Stephens.
''We have to get to the bottom of everything,'' continued Sommerville.
Monday could be the first of many such marches, said Beaty. ''This was two miles but we may have to walk 100 miles before policies and procedures will change.
''We want a City Council that's more inclusive, more just. We need police who will not pull the trigger, but honor us. . . . We want police to know us and be able to tell us apart,'' said Beaty, who is white.
James Green Jr. said he is praying for peace and unity in all ethnic communities.
''There's too much violence out there.''
Connie Bloom can be reached at 330-996-3568 or cbloom@thebeaconjournal.com. Carl Chancellor can be reached at 330-996-3725 or cchancellor@thebeaconjournal.com.
The family and friends of Jeffery Stephens Sr. prayed and sang outside Akron City Hall on Monday evening after marching from the site where he was killed by police July 5.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
