LaMarrie Hawkins, Kayla Clark, and Haleigh Lamb

 

Background Information

The Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 was one of a series of peaceful demonstrations and marches held by supporters and advocates for African American voting rights. After 26 year old church deacon Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot he later died when police forced non-violent demonstrators to disperse. He was attempting to shield his mother from a policeman’s night stick. Protestors organized a march from Selma and Marion to the state capitol in Montgomery. The non-violent marchers were blocked as they made their way through Selma by state troopers and local lawmen. When marchers refused to disperse, they were beaten, chased, and sprayed with tear gas.

In August of 2014 22 -year old John Crawford was shot at the Beavercreek, Ohio Walmart as he was talking on a cell phone and carrying an unpackaged toy BB gun he had picked up from the shelf. Police responded to a 911 call reporting a man with a gun and shot Crawford to death. A grand jury declined to indict the officers involved.

 

The artists chose these two events because they feel that they illustrate that police behaviors in the past have targeted, and are still perceived as targeting African Americans. While there have been some improvements in policing, there is room for growth and training so police can deal with situations without hurting or killing.