Police chief defends officers who violently took down black woman at Madison, Wisconsin mall
MADISON, Wis. - Community members are outraged after watching the video of 18-year-old Genele Laird's arrest.
"The feeling I get every day when I see one of ours (African-Americans) treated like a terrorist each and every day a young black woman with a knee in her back called every single name, I can't take it anymore," said Tutankhamun Assad, founder of Mellowhood Foundation.
Demonstrators and community leaders are calling looking for answers and want the officers of the Madison Police Department to be held accountable. They also asked for Laird's immediate release.
"No matter what her behavior was, and I'm not justifying--the police officers are trained officers to deal and de-escalation. And from what I saw, there was no de-escalation happening whatsoever," said Corinda Rainey-Moore, outreach coordinator with the Wisconsin Council on Children and Family.
Deirdre Adele Thompson, Laird's sister, told News 3 her family was shocked to hear about the allegations against Laird, but Thompson said she is even more upset with the force the officers used.
"This has made me question all of my loyalty to the police," Thompson said. "I have no qualms in telling a lot of people, 'Don't disrespect police,' and, 'Step aside,' and, 'Let justice prevail in the end.' But I can't even say that for this (Laird's arrest video). How is that justice?"
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said the arrest highlights a larger concern in the city, "the most important issue for Madison, the matter of race."
"I find our community divided," Soglin said. "I can guarantee that my administration will continue to move forward with an open and candid discussion of the underlying issues which range from deep-seated institutional racism in this country, to the behaviors of each of us as individuals."
Madison police Chief Mike Koval and the Common Council were at odds in early June over a proposal to review the police department, a study that brought a $400,000 price tag. The council approved the study after a tense meeting June 7.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/teens-sister-upset-over-mall-arrest/40193478
Originally police were called to the mall after it was alleged that Laird pulled a knife and threatened to kill employees.
