Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward: A community’s reaction to the ruling of officer that killed Jermaine McBean
The mother and brother of Jermaine McBean, who was killed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, listen intently at a community forum hosted by the Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward.
Members of the Black Lives Alliance Broward join the brother of Jermaine McBean on stage to re-enact the poses of Sheriff Scott Israel giving an award to Peter Peraza, the officer who killed McBean. From l to r: Jesse Cosme, Andrew McBean (brother of Jermaine McBean), Iris Nevins, and Jasmen Rogers.
By Dierra Wright
Just three years after the fatal shooting of Jermaine McBean who was fatally shot by a Florida police officer while carrying an unloaded rifle, a Florida judge dismissed the charges against a Florida cop for manslaughter, justifying the officers’ actions under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law”; The same law that dismayingly led to the acquittal of George Zimmerman who was found not guilty in the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.
The Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward held a general body meeting in the auditorium of The African American Research Library located on Sistrunk Blvd., on July 27, subsequently when the judge reached its verdict and thoroughly discussed the case following an open dialogue with the surrounding communities.
Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward member Jasmen Rogers said, “It’s a huge blow to all of the work that we have been doing. It’s a huge blow to the community, and it should be a huge blow to the nation that an officer can cite Stand Your Ground Law to be absolved of all criminal charges.”
During the hour long meeting, McBean’s brother, Andrew McBean expounded on the tragic event that occurred that fateful afternoon three years ago, unveiling the recurring heinous truth of the country’s legal system. “What hurts the most is that there is no emotion from the Broward Police Department,” said McBean.
Although The Black Lives Matter meeting centralized on the McBean’s case, there were further discussions as to how we as a community and we as a people can challenge these systems of oppression. Black Lives Matter member Iris Navins said, “We recognize that issues of oppression are not just about Black people and we stand in solidary with everyone trying to resist these systems of oppression.”
The Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward is always accepting new members. For additional information regardIng membership, events and monthly meetings they can be reached at their website www.blacklivesmatteralliancebroward.org and their Facebook handle “Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward”.
Dierra Wright is a Fort Lauderdale native, currently entering her senior year at the illustrious Florida A&M University where she is studying Public Relations.
