Jacksonville residents continue protests in support of black lives

Thursday evening they gathered about 200 strong on the gray steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to remember those shot dead by police in recent months, including victims of officer-involved shootings here as well as elsewhere.

The sixth day of local public gatherings saw Women’s March Florida’s Jacksonville chapter and other local organizations protesting police treatment of black men and women, demanding respect from officers, and seeking release of bodycam video of officer-involved shootings to victim’s families and news media.

Across on the coast in Jacksonville Beach, hundreds also gathered for a similar rally at the SeaWalk Pavilion.

At the Sheriff’s Office assembly, dozens of names were spoken of people like Vernell Bing Jr., killed by Jacksonville Officer Tyler Landreville after a May 2016 car chase; 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, killed in February by men chasing him through a neighborhood near Brunswick; and George Floyd, the Minneapolis man killed by a now ex-officer who knelt on his neck for eight minutes on Memorial Day.

“We hurt today; we grieve today. We watched the memorial service in Minnesota today for a man whose life was taken needlessly by the hands or knees of a police officer,” chapter president Bonnie Hendrix said from the steps. “... I felt it was time for black people to have the podium to raise their voice, to be heard, to let the pain and anguish of years of oppression, out.”

Men and women of all races and ages joined area politicians and community leaders at the gathering to protest police brutality and racial injustice, a Solidarity Day of Action designed as a peaceful remembrance, said organizers.

Thursday night’s two-hour event asked the community to take “positive, peaceful action” to express their sorrow and disgust over the racial division in this country, its leadership said. Candles were lit in memory of those who died by police or racial brutality, plants watered on a table as each was remembered. A few officers watched the peaceful protest from the building rooftop as a Sheriff’s Office drone captured video high overhead.

Organizers also demanded that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to release bodycam video of recent officer-involved shootings, and demand more accountability and less brutality from the force.

“Why are there 18 JSO shootings pending review,” Hendrix said. “These families deserve closure. ... We want to know when they will release the bodycam footage.”

Calls were made for independent review of officer-involved shootings in Jacksonville. That is normally done in other Florida counties by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. But Jacksonville cases are investigated internally by the Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney’s Office.

“Business as usual” is no longer acceptable in police departments and by prosecutors, said the Rev. Russell Meyer of the Florida Council of Churches. He asked church leaders and members to embrace action that move the city, state and nation forward in racial justice.

“Let us support protests, serving as legal observers and walking for justice in peaceful commitment,” Meyer said. “We call upon local officials to use their authority for transforming policing in their communities.”

The council said mayors should go after officers who violate civil rights, budget for non-violent training for all police departments and asked prosecutors to set up human rights commissions composed of community members.

Other groups involved Thursday night included the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, League of Women Voters, NAACP, NOW, New Florida Majority, ACLU, Bring It Home Florida, Jacksonville Black Commission and area clergy and community leaders.

In Jacksonville Beach 13 speakers talked about racial injustice and police brutality for a “Beaches Display of Unity.” It was organized by the group Beaches for Change.

Toward the end, protesters were asked to take a knee in remembrance of George Floyd. Then they were led through a series of chants, such as “No justice, no peace, racist police.”

The events follow several others locally, some of which led to violence, property damage, tear gas and arrests. A group named Beaches for Change also held a 6 p.m. Thursday gathering at Jacksonville Beach’s Seawalk Pavilion to show support and love to the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

But Jacksonville’s steady showing of protesters hasn’t come close to the more violent riots that have occurred in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York and other cities nationwide.

Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549