CORR President Terry McMoore Protest Arrests Of 28 Black Men In Drug Sweep – Lest We Not Forget!
CLARKSVILLE (PRWEB) March 25, 2004
The Commission on Religion and Racism is circulating a petition protesting drug arrests of 28 black men in Clarksville on Feb. 9.
The petition called for an independent committee to investigate police procedures in the drug sweep, which brought federal charges of trafficking in cocaine. Fifteen others, including one white man, were arrested or cited on state charges in connection with the drug operation.
“We simply want it to be known the community is upset that in a city of 100,000, in a drug sting, all faces were black,” Clarksville CORR President Terry McMoore said.
CORR circulated the petition during an open forum at the BurtCobb Community Center at which about a third of the 70 people in attendance took turns speaking about the sweep. Most spoke about the need for prevention, education and involvement in combatting the city’s drug abuse problems.
A few voiced their displeasure with the actions of local, state and federal police agencies and the media.
“The Clarksville police profiled black people,” said Isaac Richmond, National Director of CORR, which is based in Memphis. “That’s wrong. That situation in the newspaper is out of order.”
The Leaf-Chronicle published pictures of 27 of the suspects. The 28th name, William Darnell Johnson, 29, had not been released. Gannett Co. Inc. owns The LeafChronicle and The Tennessean.
Samuel Lewis asked the crowd why police netted only black men in a sweep of a community of 100,000. White drug dealers are out there, he said, and they were overlooked.
Others at the meeting questioned the choice of those charged. Instead of arresting the “nickel-and-dimers,” police should have concentrated their efforts on getting the true kingpins, they said.
All 28 men named in the federal indictments face charges of selling or distributing crack cocaine. Some face multiple counts of selling or distributing 50 grams or less; others are charged with selling or distributing 5 grams or less.
Police Chief Lavoyed Hudgins has denied that his department made arrests based on race.