Excessive Force in the Commonwealth
On June 26 2020, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a Complaint (https://acluva.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/complaint_v.f.pdf) in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond listing the CITY OF RICHMOND, RICHMOND COMPLAINT POLICE DEPARTMENT, WILLIAM “JODY” BLACKWELL, the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE, and GARY T. SETTLE as defendants in the legal action. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the VIRGINIA STUDENT POWER NETWORK, NOAH SMITH, DIAMANTE PATTERSON, AND DEVIN CAINES.
The complaint alleges that the Defendants used unnecessary and life-threatening force against peaceful demonstrators in June 2020. The ACLU also filed an Emergency Motion for a Temporary Injunction against the multiple Defendants. In summary, the Motion called for the Defendants to immediately halt the use of many crowd control methods. On June 30, 2020, Beverly Snukals signed an Order https://acluva.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/2020.06.29_vspnv.richmondetal._order.pdf denying the Plaintiff’s Emergency Motion for a Temporary Injunction on the grounds that the injunction would interfere with the job of law enforcement officials. The original complaint remains active. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2020.
While this case awaits a judicial decision, tensions remain high with regard to interactions with the City of Richmond Police Department and are fueling more incidents that shine an unpleasant light upon the police department. On September 1, 2020, a demonstration took place outside of the Richmond City Justice Center. Demonstrators gathered to push for the release of incarcerated individuals due to a COVID-19 outbreak inside of the jail. Tow trucks were called to remove illegally parked vehicle, but were blocked by someone on a bicycle. When the police arrived, the cyclist attempted to flee but was stopped by an office, and tackled to the ground. The incident was captured on camera, sent to the news media and then released on the evening news. Eleven arrests were made following that incident as additional protestors clashed with the police following the incident with the cyclist.
This incident, another example of excessive force by the Richmond Police Department, provided additional fuel for protestors to push for funds to be withheld from the Richmond Police Department. The push to “Defund the Police” is a method thought to cripple the agencies ability of purchasing certain equipment and items used by the Police for crowd control. Many of the crowd control methods used by the police are seen by many as a way of asserting brutality. On September 14, 2020, protestors gathered outside of Richmond City Hall after the Richmond City Council accepted federal funding for use by law enforcement. Protestors spray painted Abolish the Police and Defund RPD on the street right outside of City of Hall during the protest. Despite a little vandalism, the protest as whole remained peaceful.
