Progressive organizations and family members gathered along Sligo Creek Parkway Sunday to install the names of four victims of police violence on a bench.
The Silver Spring Justice Coalition, Young People for Progress and Jews United For Justice joined with family members and friends of Robert White, Finan Berhe, Kwamena Ocran and Ryan Le Roux to sanctify a memorial bench for the victims.
Some of these cases are still under investigation. Therefore, Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart, who attended the dedication, said she couldn’t comment. When MCM asked what she thought of the Montgomery County police officers’ action, she replied, “I am here to support the families. I am here to listen to the families.”
Emcee Robert Veiga explained that the bench was to memorialize the three Black and Brown men “who lost their lives due to police violence,” adding that there are other victims as well. “It still continues.”
Segun Adebayo of Macedonia Baptist Church said a prayer for each victim as water was poured on the bench. After each person, the crowd joined together to say Ashay, which he said means “so shall it be.”
Adebayo proclaimed that the bench “will forever be a testimony to their beautiful names.” He added, “In the midst of a difficult world, in the midst of an evil world, we are the bright lights that shine.”
Attorney Jill Sege questioned how it was that all those shot dead by police are young men of color. “There is a pattern here, and it must stop.”
Sege declared that all four men memorialized on the bench “did not deserve it” and weren’t a danger.
“It has brought shame to Montgomery County, who like to think of themselves as progressive,” she said.
Danielle Blocker, the founder and executive director of Young People For Progress, proclaimed, “We don’t want to have to offer more names for this bench.” She accused the police department of “systemic” racism, and not a victim of “a few bad apples,” adding, “In some ways, it’s normal practice.”
She urged the county to improve the way it responds to mental health crises in the community and in schools.
“Spread the message far and wide. Enough is enough. Stop the killing. This killing has to stop,” said Marion Gray-Hopkins, executive director of the Coalition of Concerned Mothers.
Added Veiga, “We want you not to just remember these people. Stand up for them. Remember them.”
Members of each of the victims’ families or friends said a few words about their loved ones.
White’s neighbor said, “He was simply a Black man who walked over to Silver Spring. On June 11, 2018, he took his final walk.”
According to Former Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger, the officer who killed White was justified and that White was combative and had his hands in his pocked so he could have been armed.
Ocran’s mother, Melanie, said her youngest son “was stolen from me as a modern-day lynching on Jan. 8, 2021.”
In this case, a county grand jury decided that four Gaithersburg police officers shouldn’t be charged, because he fled and that officers had been told he had a handgun.
Jones’ mother, LaTonya, said she had believed her home was a safe space. “They murdered my son in front of me. As a mother, you are supposed to be able to protect your children.”
According to Montgomery County Police, officers responded to an emergency call and determined that an adult male and his mother were inside an apartment. The officers heard gunshots and began an emergency response.
After negotiating with the suspect, an officer entered the apartment and shot him, according to police.
No charges were filed against the police sergeant who shot Behre in White Oak on May 7, 2020. Investigators from Howard County determined that Berhe’s actions, which included running at police with a knife and not listening to police demands—were threatening, therefore justifying deadly force.
Many of the speakers had to pause frequently to control their emotions. LeRoux’s father shook his head and declared, “It’s the holidays, and you really miss them.”
About 150 people gathered Sunday on Sligo Creek Parkway to install a bench in memory of 4 men who died by police action. @mymcmedia @jufj @SilverCoalition pic.twitter.com/pbmiD6zS75
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) November 24, 2024
