I am curious why Councilor Anika Lopes and Dr. Shirley Jackson Whitaker would not rebuke the police misconduct raised by #Amherst9. Their statement released to the press demonstrates an obvious disconnect to the Black and brown youth and their families and the real problem of over-policing and criminalization of these youths.
Perhaps if they didn’t have an Amherst police captain to placate serving with them on Lopes’ nonprofit board (Ancestral Bridges), they would be more likely to see the history that binds us all.
Vira Douangmany Cage
Amherst