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Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 @10:33pm CDT CHAMPAIGN--More than a hundred people packed Champaign council chambers Tuesday night demanding the police chief step down. He was at the scene on October 9th when Kiwane Carrington died. Police say the teenager and his friend refused to get to the ground when they responded to a call about a burglary. An officer's gun went off in a struggle. People say police are too quick to use force.
Tuesday's city council meeting lasted more than four hours. Firefighters had to stop people from going into the chambers because it hit capacity. That's 210 people. Many others huddled outside the chambers and watched what took place on TV. Every person who I spoke with says they came out to show power in numbers. They say they've lost respect and trust in police and it's time the chief resign or be forced out. Dozens of people who didn't even know Carrington spoke. They fear another family will have to bury their son or daughter if change doesn't happen fast. "I want them to hear us out as much as they can to get us the answers as quick as possible so I'm just here to reach out to the family and friends for everybody," said Cira Williams. "I would like to see the police come out with lessons or classes that will help them to handle the children a lot better than what is being presented," added Krist Sallee. Council members listened quietly as everyone talked. They couldn't take any action but gave everyone their five minutes to vent. State police are continuing their investigation. They hope to have it wrapped up an in the state's attorney's hands within the next three weeks. |