Milwaukee rallies in wake of Eric Garner decision
Milwaukee, WI – Hundreds marched through downtown Milwaukee, Dec. 4, led by the family of Dontre Hamilton, who was killed by a Milwaukee Police officer earlier this year. Community members held signs saying “I am Eric Garner.”
The march shut down Wisconsin Avenue, as demonstrators chanted, “The cops in your hood ain't no good. The cops in my hood ain't no good!”
For several months, protesters have been gathering regularly demanding Dontre Hamilton's murderer, former Milwaukee Police officer Christopher Manney, be arrested. Manny was recently fired after protesters occupied City Hall and the Milwaukee Police Department offices.
Dontre Hamilton – who was mentally ill – was sleeping on a park bench in the shadow of City Hall when he was approached by Manney and shot 14 times. Autopsy results released publicly this week revealed that some of the shots entered Hamilton's body as he was laying face down on the ground.
Supporters of Dontre Hamilton ended their march at the Police and Fire Commission meeting, which was taking place at the Milwaukee County Library. Protesters surrounded a group of police officers who were there in support of Manney. Both sides spoke to the commission. Hamilton supporters drew connections to the grand jury decisions in the killings of Mike Brown and Eric Garner, which failed to indict police for the murders. Protesters demanded Manney be charged for killing Dontre Hamilton.