In the Wake of the Police Killing of Kenneth Jones, Demonstrators Demand Transparency
BY MEL BUER
One day after an Omaha police officer shot and killed 35-year-old Kenneth Jones during a traffic stop at 27th and Harrison, about 100 people, including activists and angered community members, converged on the steps of the Omaha Police Headquarters at 15th and Howard streets to demand transparency from the department.
In a statement released by the Omaha Police Department, officers reported that Kenneth Jones was pulled from the backseat of a vehicle during a traffic stop around 7:30 p.m. on Nov 19th. According to the report, a struggle ensued outside of the vehicle. Cruiser cameras caught one officer saying that Jones had a gun and four shots were fired. Reportedly only one officer fired his gun hitting Kenneth Jones, and he later died of his injuries.
For hours, demonstrators made their message clear:
A full, independent investigation of the incident and release of the bodycam footage of the officers involved in Kenneth Jones’s death. ProBLAC organizer Bear Alexander read the most recent police report by Omaha Police in full to the assembled crowd and said the steps already taken by OPD didn’t go far enough.
Image credit: Emily Chen-Newton
He and other demonstrators demanded the speedy release of the bodycam footage because they believe that they cannot trust the descriptions of the incident released by authorities. In an interview with local Hearst affiliate KETV, Alexander said, “We cannot take their word for the murder of our fallen brother at the end of the day.” Across the street from headquarters on the side of a building, a large projection read “This isn't transparency -- Release the footage of the OPD execution of Kenneth Jones.”
Other members of the community came to the demonstration because they too, were afraid for the safety of their children and wanted more transparency from Omaha police. Nyasha, mother of five from Papillion brought her children to the demonstration Friday night in front of OPD headquarters. She says she prays everyday for her eldest son’s safety when he drives to school and she just wants for her “youngest to be able to be free.”
Nyasha brought her five children from Papillion to the demonstration. She told NOISE she prays for her eldest son’s safety everyday when he drives to school.
Image credit: Emily Chen-Newton
At approximately 8:10pm, the crowd began marching toward downtown. Their route took them through the Old Market, where passersby shouted their approval and joined in chants from the sidewalks. Once they returned to OPD Headquarters, red and blue police lights began to fill the streets as officers drew closer to the crowd.
One protester who allegedly tampered with the plastic police tape cordoning off the patio of police headquarters was chased by police then taken into custody. A statement from OPD stated eggs were thrown at the officers and some on the scene verified seeing this as well. Tensions escalated between the police and protesters as several other demonstrators were grabbed and taken into custody. Officers used batons on at least one protestor and maced march organizer Bear Alexander. At least four protestors were taken into custody. Protesters were then allowed to disperse peacefully around 9:45pm.
The ACLU of Nebraska made a statement on their Twitter page following the escalation, which reads in part, “We cannot accept protesters being forced to choose between either protecting their safety or practicing a fundamental right.” The ACLU is reviewing videos and reports from last night’s police escalation and urges activists to submit videos of any excessive force that occurs at future demonstrations. This work comes on on top of an existing lawsuit filed by the Nebraska ACLU challenging the excessive use of force by Omaha police during the anti-racist protests this past summer. Despite the force used by officers Friday night, organizers told NOISE they are planning another demonstration tonight.