Rally, March To Demand Answers In Deaths Of 7 Miami Men
MIAMI (CBS4) - Frustrated and angered by the deaths of seven African-American men at the hands of Miami police since last July, a rally and march will be held Sunday to demand answers and solutions.
Miami Commissioner Rev. Richard P. Dunn will be joined by Florida NAACP President Adora Obi Nweze, pastors and community leaders at the 2:30 p.m. rally at the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on NW 62nd Street.
"This community is not indicting every officer, but we have to indict the system. We want to see more work done by the city to stop this type of policing that makes every black person a suspect," said Tangela Sears, President of the African-American Grassroots Committee in a statement. "We are tired of burying our black sons, brothers, nephews and fathers to the hands of City of Miami cops."
The anger felt by community leaders in Miami is echoed in the nation's capital.
Last Thursday U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., wrote Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday to ask for a Justice Department investigation in the shootings. Wilson said only the federal government has the resources and independence to give "close, objective scrutiny" to the deaths.
"What's going on in Miami-Dade County, Florida? Is it open season on African-American men? It's outrageous," said Congresswoman Wilson.
A spokeswoman said the Justice Department is reviewing Wilson's letter.
Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito told CBS4's news partner The Miami Herald that he has invited federal authorities to attend post-shooting reviews since the first death.
