Milwaukee Protesters March To End Police Shootings Of African-Americans

Roughly 200 marchers wound their way through downtown Milwaukee Monday evening, chanting and calling for an end to what they see as police misconduct.

One of the cases highlighted was that of Jay Anderson, killed by a Wauwatosa police officer in a park last month. The shooting victim’s aunt, JoAnne Anderson, said her nephew’s death was the result of poor communication by law enforcement.

“When they see a black male anywhere, there’s no questions asked. Just straight-up force,” said Anderson.

Wauwatosa police said Anderson was armed and the officer feared for his safety.

Milwaukee police are reviewing the case.

Before the march, Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton, who was shot and killed by Milwaukee police in 2014 during a confrontation, addressed the crowd, calling for unity to bring change. Another of her sons, Nate Hamilton, said he hoped last night’s event is the start of a rejuvenated effort by local citizens to halt the police shootings of African-Americans.

“We’re not asking for them to be violent. We’re just asking for them to get it off their chest to express their self and come back consistently,” he said.

Nate Hamilton said he does not condone the killing of the five law enforcement officers in Dallas last week.

Milwaukee police allowed the marchers to periodically block intersections, but kept the march off a freeway.

Another gathering by the Milwaukee group, Coalition for Justice, is scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon.