White Plains Gathering Expresses Support for Michael Brown Family

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. and Mayo Bartlett of Westchester for Police Reform were joined by about 30 demonstrators at Fountain Plaza in White Plains Tuesday night to protest the failure of a Missouri grand jury to indict a police officer in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.

On Monday, the grand jury had cleared Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson, Mo. police officer, in the Aug. 9 shooting death of Brown, who was black. Announcement of the grand jury’s decision sparked violence  in Ferguson and protest rallies across the country.

The solemn, prayerful gathering was peaceful, yet speakers stressed the need for greater community collaboration to improve police treatment of young black males.

“We do not have the answers and we do not know for certain what happened when Michael was killed,” said Bartlett, a lawyer representing the Chamberlain family and other victims of alleged police violence in Westchester. “What we are fighting for is our children. We owe it to them and to the future generations to ensure that law enforcement uses best practices.”

Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., 68, died when he was shot by White Plains police during a medical emergency call at his home in the city’s Winbrook neighborhood. A retired Marine, Chamberlain had a history of mental instability.

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. and Bartlett said at the gathering that they bore no hatred and embrace law enforcement. Bartlett noted, however, that in good conscience he could not advise any client experiencing a medical or psychotic episode to call 911 because he was unsure that best practices are in place  in Westchester for dealing with people who have a history of mental instability.

“Law enforcement is part of the community and it has accountability to that community,” Bartlett said.

He further noted that Westchester for Police Reform is working with law enforcement agencies to secure funding for body cameras and other mobile technology that can be used by police.