This week, Brooklyn has seen a community come together for vigils and demonstrations in protest over the shooting of Kimani Gray by the NYPD.
16-year-old Gray was shot by 2 officers patrolling East Flatbush in an unmarked car around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
The autopsy report, released Wednesday, said 7 bullets were removed from Gray’s body, 3 of these had entered his body form the rear. Police claim they shot Gray after he had allegedly pointed a .38-caliber Rohm revolver in their direction.
The police allegations have been contradicted by the only civilian eye-witness account that claims Gray was “unarmed.”
From this it is apparent that the NYPD have the power to kill who they want, when they want, without interference or sanction.
This can not and should not be tolerated.
The shooting deepened tensions between the Community and the NYPD, with the police response to the local vigils and marches criticized as being insensitive, over-the-top and brutal.
While a Brooklyn community comes to terms with the unfettered violence of the NYPD, one mother still waits for her teenage son to come home.
We send sincere condolences to Kimani’s mother, Carol Gray and her family.
Kimani Gray R.I.P.
The activist and freelance photographer Jenna Pope attended a vigil for Kimani on Wednesday night.
Jenna was there to show respect for Kimani, support the community, and to photograph the vigil.
The night ended in a police riot, with Jenna badly injured and in need of hospital treatment.
This is part of her account and some of her photographs from that night, and I ask you check out Jenna’s photographic report over at her blog site.
This week, there have been vigils and marches in response to the NYPD shooting and killing Kimani Gray in Brooklyn. I was there on Wednesday, and although the vigil and march started out peacefully, the cops decided to block us from using a crosswalk while we were on the sidewalk, and continued agitating the whole night. I believe that’s what we call a “police riot.”
I was only able to photograph the beginning of the march since there was a quick end to my night when I was hit by a thrown object. An arrest was happening to my left, and I was hit on the right side. I received a concussion and was driven to the hospital in an ambulance where a doc put 5 stitches in my head. I have no idea what it was, or who threw it. If it was one of the many young, rightfully angry friends of Kimani Gray, then I honestly can say I would not be angry with them. Instead, I am angry that the NYPD shot 11 rounds at 16 year old boy, hitting him the back and killing him – which is what cause this outrage in Brooklyn.
If we want to seriously change the world, then we need more activists and photographers like Jenna Pope to bear witness to the truth, to give a damn and make a difference.
If you want, you can support Jenna Pope fight for justice, one photo at a time, by donating here. Thanks.
More of Jenna Pope’s photographs, after the jump…
