Posted on 08/07/2011 1:19:38 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Hundreds joined Ron Thomas at a rally Saturday at Fullerton Police Department wanted to see the police chief step down.
At a rally in front of the Fullerton Police Department Saturday calling for the police chief’s resignation, the father of the 37-year-old schizophrenic man who was beaten by police and died said he wanted to see stiff penalties for those involved.
“What I want to see done is the primary guy that was beating my son in the back of the head with a Taser, because this was indeed a hate crime against the homeless and mentally ill, needs to be convicted of a brutal murder with special circumstances,” said Ron Thomas. “I want him to get the death penalty and I’ll pull the switch.”
More than 500 people joined Thomas at the rally many shouting “Justice for Kelly! Jail Killer Cops!” in response to the beating and death of a Kelly Thomas who allegedly fought with officers July 5.
Andy Anderson, a Fullerton resident who helped organize the protest, said they wanted to see the policemen involved lose their jobs.
“The main goal is to get Chief Sellers to step down,” he said. “We are going to show him through unity and all the people here that we don’t want him here anymore. The ultimate goal is prosecution for the 6 officers involved.”
Anderson said Kelly was a fixture in the community and that the beating more evidence of what he described as an overly aggressive police force.
“We are trying to keep his mental illness really out of it,” said Anderson about Kelly’s medical condition. “What it comes down to is, he was a schizophrenic yeah, he was a homeless guy, but six police officers beat him to death and that is really the story here and I think sometimes the mental illness thing is putting a shroud over what actually happened.”
He said in addition to the chief stepping down he wants to see the desk officer who watched the video during the beating lose his job and the six officers lose their jobs, pension and serve jail time, “just like any other citizen would.”
A Fullerton police lieutenant, who refused to give his name, said there have been no arrests and that crowd has not been unruly. He also said there has been no special police deployment for the protest.
“It's just our regular number of officers that are serving the city today,” he said. “Nothing's going on. That's all I have to say. We're (the police department) not making any statements about this (protest).”
Members of the coalition of Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, or ANSWER, and mental health advocates joined the parents of Kelly Thomas in the demonstration.
Six officers believed to be involved in Thomas' arrest were publicly identified by a blogger, and that reportedly caused the wife and children of one of the officers to move to a hotel after the family received a death threat.
Kelly Thomas was allegedly suspected of trying to break into cars at the Fullerton transit center. He was in a coma and died in a hospital five days after the arrest. His father, a former sheriff's deputy, made public an image of his bloodied and bruised son in a hospital bed, with at least one black eye, a big cut on his forehead and what appeared to be broken nose.
Surveillance video shows part of the arrest, but authorities say they will not make it public. The FBI is monitoring the investigation and will hand up its findings to the Justice Department.
A candlelight vigil is planned for Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Fullerton City Hall.
OK, he has jumped the shark.
Oh yea, because 6 police officers beat his son to death, how would you feel. To protect and serve my ass.
He has every right to be as angry as he is but what is the justification for bringing ANSWER into the protest?
I also read that he’s a retired police officer.
Oh, please.
If these 6 police officers were private citizens and were not carrying badges, would you still say such a thing? No, of course not. Yet, if they were bunch of gang bangers, would you want them sentenced to death? Yes, of course you would.
Get real and take your blinders off, Bunny. Stop trying to defend the indefensible. Stop making excuses for corruption and cruelty.
These cops need to be treated like anybody else: Public trial, conviction and life without parole or the death penalty. No excuses. No special treatment. No sympathy. No pity. String them up by their heels and then cut their damn throats, is what those cops deserve. Nothing less.
The story says members of ANSWER were present, and that characterization leaves open questions. Was a group of ANSWER members there, representing ANSWER? If so, was the group ANSWER invited by the father?
Shoot the dog, and hang the owner.
Oh, it wasn’t a pit bull — just mad dog government employees. Same, same.
What a ridicules post"Give 'em a fair trial before we hang 'em" always ready to bash the police....My guess is you want to get rid of those nasty police officers and let the nice criminals run things...
Makes the world a better place to live.
Another stupid post....what part of investigation of the evidence and then filing charges against the guillty do you not understand...just because there were six cops there does not mean all of them were guilty or any of them were. At tyhis point all you know is the guy died and there were six cops present when he did.
“...My guess is you want to get rid of those nasty police officers...”
You betcha.
“...and let the nice criminals run things...”
Nope. But since you mention it, we already have criminals running things (Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Georgie Boy Soros, etc.).
What’s your suggestion? Give them all promotions and a raise in pay?
Your post is idiotic and infantile. Go soak your head, Dufus. What a maroon.
This alone shows what ban idiot you are!!!
Neither Ron Thomas nor Kelly's mother or stepmother invited them, or any other particular group, but these types always show up whenever there is a protest of any sort. I came for 90 minutes to take notes and pictures for an article I am writing. Yeah, there were some radical types walking around - one old guy was trying to get people to buy "The Militant" but no one seemed very interested. The majority were regular people who chose to stand in the very hot sun for hours to express their disgust and support the family. An open invitation to this event had been on Facebook for the last week so anyone who wanted to could come, and by Friday evening over 700 people had indicated they would show up. The family said they were gratified and overwhelmed at the show of community support.
I spoke to people who were old, young - lots of young people - and of all racial backgrounds. There were also self-described "Christian libertarians" and "conservatives" there, as well as a lot of people who came by to sign the recall petition. One couple came from Fresno, and I saw two guys in Teamsters t-shirts. There were a number of parents with babies in strollers. I talked to people who had law enforcement ties, although some didn't want to get specific about them. (I have to wonder if they weren't cops themselves.) Kelly Thomas's father is a retired OC sheriff's deputy who used to teach take-down procedures, so I expect some of his former co-workers were there.
The crowd was well-mannered, well-behaved, and loud. Judging by the continual horn-honking that punctuated the air the entire while I was there, there was a lot of community support. Every time an OCTD bus drove by loud cheers and applause erupted in appreciation for the bus driver who recorded the spontaneous witness statements. Sometimes a bus driver would honk back, which really made the crowd cheer. I spoke to Ron Thomas and he said he does know not the crowd number, but that there were never less than "hundreds" at any time. The best estimate is 500 people. From my observation I would say that number could easily be accurate.
The protest took place right in front of the Fullerton police department, a beautiful old Spanish building. Across the street a large banner with the words "RELEASE THE TAPE" was strung across two trees. The police did not interfere with the demonstration in any way, and no police cars drove down Commonwealth the entire time I was there. FPD kept a very low profile, which was wise because many, many of the signs called for the police chief to step down.
IMO, that sentiment was expressed best by the largest sign I saw in the crowd: "Not One Of Your Officers Stopped The Beating, Sellers: Resign NOW!"
Thanks for clarification.
Since Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al didn’t show up to throw the race card around, someone had to take advantage of this man’s pain for his son.
I agree that these people would show up no matter what the situation. Opportunists.
Ooooo. That hurts. You got me. What a clever and witty person you are. /s
Again, what a maroon.
Then again, perhaps I’m being too harsh with you. I know it must be a living hell for some one like you living in your parents’ basement. Must really suck having to constantly bum cigarettes and booze from your elderly mother. (Yeah, I know she’s not very happy with you since she found your porn mags under you bed yesterday. Shame on you. You nasty boy.)
Also, I think it’s time for your medication again. Suggest you call upstairs and ask your mom to fetch you some prozac and ritalin. You should be feeling right as rain in a jiffy.
On a positive note, I talked to your uncle Chuckie and he says he’s on his way to see you. Gonna help you take the training wheels off your tricycle. (Don’t forget to wear your special helmet.) And he also says that if you are really, really, really extra specially well behaved today, he’ll take you out for a soda and an ice cream cone. So be on your very best behavior. And don’t forget to brush your teeth, wash behind your ears and put on a clean pair of underwear.
Cheers, Loser.
FWIW, I don't see a chance of death penalty, on account of the beaters didn't intend death. But manslaughter charges are in line, and should stick.
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