HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE

As the citizens of Toccoa mourn the passing of Reverend Ayers I lay
the blame for the senseless killing of this man at the feet of precedence.

For a number of years we the citizens of this country have given the
police carte blanche to shoot African-Americans without holding them
responsible.

The New Jersey Turnpike shooting of four young black men on their way
to tryout for college hoops, the killing of Oscar Grant, the shooting
of Robbie Tolan, Adolph Grimes, Sean Bell, Kathryn Johnston, Amadou
Diallo just to name a few. So many times these policemen have been
given a free pass by juries of their peers under the belief, policemen
have no reason to lie about their motives or actions.

These juries have set a precedent that is now coming home to roost on
all Americans.

In the 60s, when the scourge of drugs were destroying the inner
cities, the rural areas and the suburbs were unconcerned.

Politicians who for the most part were not elected by innercity voters
paid no attention to stamping out this scourge, today drugs are
destroying our youth, and we have been fighting a decades long battle
against drugs that is costing us billions.

As with ignoring the drug scourge, the free pass we have given the
police has emboldened them.

An upstanding member of the community is shot to death in broad
daylight infront of witnesses and, there is barely a mention on the
news.

The reports we get have already given the police the benefit of the
doubt, they identified themselves, had badges around their necks, and
the pastor hit one with his car.

It is completely a legitimate use of deadly force to kill the pastor
for trying to escape a dangerous situation i.e. men attacking you with
guns.

As a community we need to begin holding policemen responsible for
their actions, and make no mistake about it, unless we do, we are all
going to be targets.

Dale M. Irving

Norcross