Here are the 10 demands made by Fresno’s ‘We Can’t Breathe’ protest leaders
While leaders and community members have applauded the crowd of over 3,000 protesters for remaining peaceful on Sunday, there’s been little mention of the demands made by organizers.
Standing in front of Fresno Police Department headquarters, Fresno State NAACP President D’Aungillique Jackson read a list of 10 demands for city and police leaders that focused on police reform and accountability, the city’s budget and environmental justice.
The demands are:
Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer must acknowledge the research-backed disparities for what they are and cease explanations based on personal opinion or perspective of said issues. This feeds into negative stereotypes and stigmas, specifically those that refer to black and brown people.
Community involvement in the hiring process of a new police chief. There must be community members on the hiring committee, and they must receive a vote.
Charges brought against Fresno Police Department Officers Christopher Martinez and R. Loza, who brutalized London Wallace, and Sgt. Ray Villalvazo who shot 16-year-old Isiah Murrietta-Golding in the back of his head.
Address and respond to complaints filed by community members regarding the Fresno Police Department’s pattern and practice of shooting individuals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has not charged or convicted any repeat shooters, such as Villalvazo.
Eliminate qualified immunity for cops and establish police bond. They should be treated as any other individual committing a crime.
Explain the strategy for firing racist police officers.
Elected officials must inform the community on their process for deciding Fresno’s budget and what next year’s financing will look like, including transparency specifically about west Fresno support.
Mandate non-violence training for any officers responding in the Fresno community.
Establish a more diverse police force that will reflect our communities. Cops should live in Fresno if they want to work in Fresno.
Create stricter regulations for industrial plants. They should not be allowed to expose the black community to their toxins.
Along with the demands, the Fresno State NAACP political action chair Denise Rogers-Heydt also shared statistics about policing and health disparities for Fresno’s black population.
Jackson said hours after the protest, Police Chief Andy Hall reached out to her pledging to take action. In addition to working with him, Jackson also is scheduled to meet with Mayor Lee Brand next week.
The problems highlighted at the rally aren’t new, she said, but what’s changed is the volume of the national conversation. That’s why she’s motivated to continue pushing for reform.
“I’m a very hopeful person, and I feel like that’s one thing that resonated with the city of Fresno,” she said. “Even though we’re starting to get movement, it doesn’t mean the pressure lifts. I’m not convinced change is going to come tomorrow, but if we still push we will be one step closer to our goal.”
Will city leaders commit to reform?
Mark Standriff, a city spokesman, said on Tuesday that Brand had not yet seen the demands, but the mayor looked forward to meeting with Jackson.
Dyer could not be reached for comment and is said to be on vacation.
Hall also wasn’t available to comment.
After the protest, Hall said he learned a lot from what was said.
“I heard their words, and we’re ready to reach out to those organizers and start working with the community to build a better, stronger community,” he said.
JePahl White, a longtime community organizer who spoke at the protest, said a protest without demands can be fruitless.
He said he looks forward to taking Hall up on his words to work together.
“Sunday showed the power of the people,” White said. “When people show up and let their presence be felt and their voices be heard, powerful things can happen.”