Taking on brutality in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Following an initial protest against police brutality inflicted on Melvin Jones III, residents have kept the heat up with another highly effective demonstration on January 16.

The recent organizing has come about in response to the assault on Jones, a Springfield resident. During a routine traffic stop, Jones was assaulted with a flashlight by officer Jeffrey Asher, while other officers stood by indifferently. The entire incident was recorded by a Springfield resident, although the video was kept in police custody for almost two months before it was released.

Since the incident, the response of city officials has been lukewarm. Officer Asher, who is now under internal investigation, was accused of police brutality in 1997 and 2004. According to Web site MassLive.com, Mayor Dominic Sarno recently announced the reformation of a civilian police review board "with the authority to review complaints about police misconduct and levy punishment against officers where necessary."

The community, however, has made its response clear. The second demonstration in a series of community protests occurred at Mason Square in Springfield on January 16. Over 60 residents gathered, representing more than half a dozen community groups, including Out Now, the Alliance to Develop Power (ADP), Justice for Jason, the International Socialist Organization and Arise For Social Justice, among others.

Organized by Arise, the demonstrators chanted "No justice, no peace--no racist police," as well as, 'The people, united, will never be defeated." Keya Alvarez from the ADP commented: "In order to fix the ills of society, society must fix the racial and economic disparity that divides us as a nation."

Protesters demanded a civilian review board with "teeth" that would ensure accountability and transparency, as well as the immediate termination of Asher.

According to Alvarez, police brutality is not an isolated incident, but is part of structural conditions that involving poverty and class. In order to fight police brutality, we must challenge the system in which it thrives. Therefore, she said, we must take on capitalism and the "economic disparity that divides" America.