Police silently protested during the swearing in of Rock Island alderman Dylan Parker for his comments following the killing of DeShawn Tatum, whose death at the hands of police was ruled justified by the Rock Island County Attorney’s office at the end of April.
Don Mavis of Rock Island criticized Parker for questioning the department’s lack of a cohesive foot pursuit policy, and for calling police “agents of state violence.”
“It’s anti-law enforcement, it’s anti-citizen of Rock Island, and we deserve better. We deserve protection. This is our neighborhood and our houses as well."
But the response wasn’t all negative. Andrew DeFrieze spoke in support of Parker’s comments, but criticized the city council for not taking action.
“I want to see concrete action, not just rhetoric. I hope the incoming council takes this issue seriously and critically for the sake of the people of this city.”
Alderman Parker was absent from his own swearing in ceremony on Monday, buthe told the Quad City Times he stands by his comments.
