Aurora cops fired over photos re-enacting the death of Elijah McClain, police chief calls act 'shameful'
Police departments across the US have come under the scanner over their brutal handlings of the minority community. While the Minneapolis law-enforcement agency faced a backlash after the death of George Floyd, a Black American, at the hands of its cops in May, the Aurora Police Department (APD) has also come under heavy criticism for the killing of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old man of color, in August last year while he was walking back home from a store. What is worse is that three officers re-enacted the act and made fun of the tragedy outside the memorial of the deceased man while on duty last October.
Vanessa Wilson, interim chief of the APD, Colorado, was visibly shaken when she announced on Friday, July 3, that three officers have been fired while another resigned over the photos of their disgraceful act at the memorial. Wilson described the photos as "disturbing". One of them showed three smiling cops with one putting another in a chokehold, a ploy that was used against McClain before he passed away.
The police chief said the photos were sent to other officers, including Jason Rosenblatt, one of the white officers who stopped McClain and said "HaHa" after receiving the photos. Rosenblatt was fired along with officers Erica Marrero and Kyle Dittrich. Jason Jones, the fourth officer who appeared in the images, quit earlier this week ahead of the pre-disciplinary hearing. Another officer, who was sent the photo but deleted it, was not fired, Wilson said.
The release of the controversial photos saw protesters come up with vehement reaction against the APD with the hashtag #APDOccupation doing rounds on social media. Protesters surrounded the APD precinct and started chanting "Say his name: Elijah McClain!" and "time is up, APD". Some armed officers were seen standing on the roof of the building but there was minimal police presence overall. In the night, the protesters danced, saying it was an active rebellion since McClain reportedly danced before breathing his last. He was injected with ketamine while being handcuffed, raising serious questions over violation of personal rights.
PSL calls police 'monsters'
Party for Socialism and Liberation, a communist outfit, recently wrote an open letter to Wilson slamming her and her department for the act. "We know what kind of monsters you employ; the ones who murder an innocent young man and then take photos at his memorial, dancing on his grave as a joke. The ones who deploy pepper spray and batons at a vigil with families and children present. The Aurora Police Department is bloodthirsty, violent, and unchecked," it said.
On June 27, policemen from the department in riot gear were seen approaching a peaceful 'violin protest' to remember McClain at City Center Park and spraying them with pepper spray — an act that was denounced from all quarters.
Wilson was at her apologetic best at the press conference on Friday. "We're ashamed, we're sickened and we're angry. While the allegations of this internal affairs case are not criminal, it is a crime against humanity and decency," she said, adding, "It shows a lack of morals, values and integrity, and judgment. I can no longer trust to allow them to wear this badge."