Independence Day Protest Focuses on Chamberlain
Autonomous Zone Established Near Chatterton Park
The Democratic Socialists of America led a protest on Independence Day in White Plains to spotlight racism in society and call for a shift in funding from police to community programs.
“We need to be less police supported in times of crisis such as COVID-19,” said Kat Brezler, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. “The idea that we would (put) people to death instead of help them keep a roof over their head, food in their stomach, and have access to healthcare; our priorities in our community are messed up, and that’s why we are out here today.”
Those in attendance met at the fountain on Main Street and marched to the Westchester County office building on Martine Avenue in the name of justice for Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr.
Chamberlain, 68, a retired Marine and 20-year employee with the Westchester County Department of Corrections, was fatally shot on November 19, 2011, in his home in White Plains by a city police officer after his LifeAid medical alert necklace was inadvertently triggered. Despite his objections and statements that he did not need help, the police broke down Chamberlain’s door, tasered him, and then shot him.
“This was an unlawful entry into a veterans’ home while he was asleep after inadvertently triggering his life alert,” Brezler remarked.
Police alleged Chamberlain came at them with a butcher knife when they broke down the door. Chamberlain’s family claims the elderly Chamberlain was unarmed and did not resist. Chamberlain, a black man, later died in surgery at White Plains Hospital.
In 2012, a grand jury reviewed the case and decided that no criminal charge would be made against police officers involved in the killing. In May 2012, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach announced that he would bring in “outside experts to do a broad review of” policy for the city’s police department. After a four-month investigation, the report concluded that Chamberlain’s shooting was justifiable because it happened “after negotiations and when all non-lethal means were unsuccessful.”
On July 2, 2012, a federal civil suit for $21 million was filed by the victim’s son, Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., against the City of White Plains and the White Plains Police Department. In November 2012, the Chamberlain family amended their lawsuit to require the city to modify police procedures with the mentally ill.
The case went to trial on November 7, 2016. The jury found neither the police nor the city liable. The family has appealed, arguing that the judge improperly excluded evidence.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Battle Hill Autonomous Zone (BHAZ), located across from Chatteron Park, was established by about 30 members of the Democratic Socialists of America to protest the killing of Chamberlain.
The goal of the group which established the BHAZ is to turn the location into a memorial for Chamberlain by turning it into a community garden.
“We have been pushing this really hard on social media, we’ve had contact with multiple people in the neighborhood, and we think we are going to continue to see growth within the next couple days,” said George Fuss, organizer of the BHAZ.
The group has other demands as well, such as re-opening the investigation into Chamberlain’s murder. Despite the controversy surrounding the Seattle autonomous zone, which police cleared last week, Battle Hill Autonomous Zone participants did not express concern about similar unrest developing.
“We don’t have a set plan for how long we are going to last. There is a Kenneth Chamberlain Memorial event on the 11th (July 11) and we’d like to at least try to last until then,” Fuss said.
When asked about the potential of getting arrested for organizing an autonomous zone, Fuss replied, “I would not be afraid of going to jail at all. I don’t think they have any cause to arrest us. This is public land, it’s not a park, and there’s no curfew, so there’s no real reason to arrest anyone for anything.”
Peekskill Councilwoman Vanessa Agudelo was on hand supporting the autonomous zone.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
