Racial Divide Discussed at Church

Bridging the racial gap on Freedom Day sends a harsh message to the community. Tonight (Wedensday) members and activists at Abundant Faith Christian Church are venting their frustrations about springfield police and the african american community. This comes after an incident during Sunday service at Abundant Faith Christian Church. Where police chased a 20-year old into the this church. They thought he had a gun so they tazed him right there during service. Three days later these members say if it were a white church police would have handled the situation differently. But police say thats not the case. But one activists still want answers. "How do we deal with this because there is defintly racism in our community and we have to something with the attitude that people in the position of power whether it be police or city officials in whatever respect. Deal with people on a regular basis." Said Diane Lopez Hughes, Springfield Activist. But a church member and Illinois State cop thinks differently, "I dont look at it as exclusively as culture I cant no matter how I turn this is in my mind as an individual in a split second when this guy pulls into the parking lot and runs into the parking lot and runs in here...think that these officers could make a conscious decision that they are going to assault a certain community and disrupt a certain community consciously do that in a heat of a pursuit." Said John Garner. Theres an internal investigation in the police department to sundays response. This is the first of three forums at the church.