JAMESTOWN – Organizers say a rally celebrating the accomplishments of the Jamestown Justice Collation will also focus on the continued work that needs to be done in order to properly reform policing not just nationwide, but locally as well.
In an interview with WNYNewsNow Friday morning, Justin Hubbard, the Jamestown Justice Collation Coordinator, says the rally was scheduled to highlight achievements his group has made so far, however, it will now focus on a recent national shooting of Jacob Blake.
Hubbard says even though police violence against black people doesn’t happen in Jamestown, it could.
“We do not want to become the next Ferguson, Missouri or Kenosha, Wisconsin,” said Hubbard. “We are trying to work with the police in all areas and with our government to make sure we do not become the next area.”
The rally is scheduled to take place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Dow Park across from the James Prendergast Library.
According to CBS news: Know whom your defending
A criminal complaint was filed against Blake on July 6, charging him with felony third-degree sexual assault, misdemeanor criminal trespassing and misdemeanor disorderly conduct, according to Wisconsin Circuit Court records. He is accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, with whom he has three children.
Blake was shot after officers were dispatched Sunday for a caller who reported that her boyfriend, who was not supposed to be on her premises, was present, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The release did not specify what role Blake played in the original incident, but family attorney Benjamin Crump said he was attempting to break up a domestic dispute.
Officials have not said if Sheskey was aware of Blake’s history at the time of the shooting.
Sheskey and another officer, Vincent Arenas, deployed tasers in failed attempts to apprehend Blake, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said Friday.