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Will Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard Resign?

Davy V. 862 Views , , , ,

 

Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull,
getting ready to punch pregnant woman in head.

 

By Davy V.

Tensions in Rochester, NY’s African-American community continue to rise, just days after a disturbing video was posted to YouTube, showing Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull, driving 21-year old Brenda Hardaway, who says she’s 5 months pregnant, into a wooden porch railing, then punching her n the head with a closed fist, before throwing her to the ground.

“Release her or they’re going to see something they’ve never seen before”, said the clergymen who held an 11:00 am press conference at Faith Temple Apostolic Church Friday.

The statement was in reference to Brenda Hardaway, who was remanded to the Monroe County Jail in lieu of $7,500.

Hardaway is being held on several charges including resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Her 16-year old brother, Geomeno Hardaway was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, and was released.

Meeting with other church leaders, Bishop Jerry McCullough said, “This has been happening in Rochester for quite a while and we’re appalled”

McCullough added, “We’re here to do something about it, we got lawyers, we got money, we’re hiring people to help us.”

According to Rochester, NY police, Brenda Hardaway interfered with the arrest of her 16-year-old brother.

Not surprisingly, Mike Mazzeo, President of Rochester’s Locust Club. the RPD’s Union, just as Rochester Police Chief did hours earlier, defended the beating.

“All she had to do was put her hands behind her back and be handcuffed,” Mazzeo said, adding “The protocol is to use the amount of force necessary to make the arrest.”

Mazzeo called RPD officer Lucas Krull’s punch to Hardaway’s head, “light force.”

As an activist against police misconduct, and corruption, I have been marching these same Rochester, NY streets since the mid 1980’s, when I used to accompany my Dad, Mario Vara, a community activist against police abuse, and Al Sharpton, who was good friends with my Dad, along with the late Reverend Raymond Graves, a legendary Rochester civil rights leader, I personally saw all these great men, not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as well!

So, at the press conference I told the members of the clergy, that I’ve seen alot of press conferences, and news camera photo-ops.

But, I asked them, what would they do different this time?

 

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

 

Davy V.

Davy V. is a Cuban-American Filmmaker, Video Producer, Photographer and Freelance Writer, best known for using the power of video and film to expose Police Brutality, Corruption and Misconduct. The son of the late Mario Vara, a community activist who for years fought against Police Brutality and Misconduct in Rochester, New York, Davy V. got his start in Television and Video by tagging along and working camera for his father's cable access television show, "La Voz Del Pueblo" (The Voice of The People). Davy V. later went on to produce and host "KEEP IT ON THE REEL", a cable access TV show with a mix of Hip Hop as well as issues affecting African-Americans and Latinos in Rochester, NY, such as Police Brutality and Misconduct. Some guests on the show included Treach, KayGee and Vinnie of Naughty by Nature, Method Man, Funkdoobiest, Da Youngstas, and the Rottin' Razkals. Davy V. won the U.S. ACM Video Festival Award for his Documentary, "R.P.D. EXPOSED!" about the Rochester, New York Police Department and their long history of misconduct, corruption and unnecessary killings of unarmed innocent citizens. "R.P.D. EXPOSED!" and Davy V.'s follow up, "R.P.D.: Badges of DISHONOR, CORRUPTION and MURDER!" were both screened at the National Hip Hop Political Convention at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Davy V.'s work has been featured in publications such as THE SOURCE Hip Hop Magazine, URBAN AMERICA Magazine, The Ave. Magazine, Insider Magazine, La Voz Newspaper, Minority Reporter Newspaper, CNY LATINO Newspaper, DOWN Magazine, as well as on television news stations, and programs such as CNN and Inside Edition. In addition to his freelance writing, Davy V. also writes a monthly Op/Ed Column for LA VOZ Magazine and Minority Reporter Newspaper. In June 2012, Davy V. joined Cop Block as a regular contributor.