Photo was taken on 5/13 at one of the protests for Tony Robinson. Azam Niroomand-Rad, our AI Madison Group #139 Leader, and Ms. Jeanie Verschay.
On March 6, 2015, Tony Robinson, a biracial 19 year old man was shot and killed by Matt Kenny, a white Madison police officer. On May 12, 2015, the District Attorney, Ismael Ozanne, a biracial man, announced that there would be no charges brought against Officer Kenny. See below: the entire 24 minute press conference where Ozanne outlines the events surrounding Tony's death.
The Madison community responded by leaving the churches open, using clearly identified volunteer Peacekeepers, holding open forums on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, using public school in-class time to discuss student concerns, holding vigils with the family, marching with local community groups such as the Young, Gifted, & Black coalition, and pulling together community leaders to encourage dialogue. Some arrests have been made but so far demonstrations have been peaceful. Regardless of the guilt or innocence of Officer Kenny, issues surrounding policing techniques and racial disparity in Madison and Dane County are being discussed and efforts are being made to make real changes in the Madison community.
OPEN FORUM: If AI Madison Group #139 members would like to comment or discuss the Tony Robinson ruling, police policies, or racial disparities in our country, please comment on our blog. Link to blog topic. If you are not registered, contact ai139blog@gmail.com for access. Blog topic includes: (1) Our original post on the AI Madison Group #139 website: Madison, WI: Community, D.A. Charges, Police Techniques, Racial Disparity and Tony Robinson, (2) Full video of DA Ismael Ozanne's press conference in Tony Robinson case (25 min), (3) Race to Equity report, and (4) The Race to Equity Project’s Statement on the Death of Tony Robinson. Join us today!
