Rally Against Police Brutality Held In Lexington

It will be 20 years ago this Saturday. Lexington had days of civil unrest after Lexington Police sergeant Phil Vogel shot 18-year-old African-American Tony Sullivan as five police officers tried to arrest Sullivan on charges of assault and wanton endangerment.

After an investigation, the shooting was called an accident and the grand jury did not indict Sergeant Vogel.

That case and the recent shooting in Ferguson, Missouri was on people’s minds during a rally Wednesday night in downtown Lexington.

So many emotions expressed throughout the evening. Anger and discontentment though as the names of lives lost to what ralliers called police brutality were read and remembered.

"Hands up, don’t shoot. Hands up, don’t shoot."

That rally cry and others heard Wednesday evening as the march against police brutality looked to reach a goal.

"It can empower communities that are most impacted,” said EKU School of Justice Studies Dr. Tyler Wall.

Dr. Wall was joined by another professor from the school. Both, on this occasion, took a stand against what they said they see as problems in law enforcement.

"We have the most coercive, the most violent criminal justice system in the world."

"Police killings are only one element of police violence. Police violence is on a continuum,” said Prof. Gary Potter.

Flash back to the flashpoint, October, 1994. The streets of downtown Lexington were a dangerous place to be after Tony Sullivan was shot and killed.

Community Collaboration Initiatives director, Larry Johnson vividly remembered the aftermath of Sullivan’s death.

"It was a scary time in Lexington,” said Johnson.

He said from that time until now, conditions have improved but the work is ongoing.

"There are still issues to be addressed, they are being addressed and more can be done."

Stephen Overstreet, founder of the group Come Unity said communications between police and the community have greatly improved since that time.

"Our voices will make more of a difference than our violent demonstrations."

The march began at William Wells Brown Elementary School. Sullivan was shot 20 years ago this Saturday in an apartment near the school’s location.