Cory Wise marches with protesters along Massachusetts Avenue on Wednesday, June 10. His bag says “this is our war on terror. (Darian Benson)
Just hours after Indianapolis police released the name of the officer who shot and killed Dreasjon "Sean" Reed, more than 100 protesters marched downtown calling for additional demands to be met.
Earlier Wednesday, IMPD identfied four-year veteran Dejoure Mercer as the officer who shot Reed on May 6.
Mercer was named the Northwest District Officer of the Year one week before the shooting. Another officer, Steven Scott was disciplined after he was captured on video following the shooting saying: “I think it’s going to be a closed casket, homie." Both officers are black.
Releasing the identity of the officer was one of several demands that have been made by protesters during nearly two weeks of demonstrations and marches across Indianapolis. Their demand for city and police officials to review and rewrite IMPD's use of force policy has also been met. A draft of an updated policy is under review.
On Monument Circle Wednesday night protest organizers from Indy 10 Black Lives Matter highlighted the group's remaining demands, including transparency in the investigation of Reed's death, firing Mercer and holding him "accountable for murder."
Over 100 people here, maybe 200. The group is about to walk. But before- a “white people training.” It breaks down to how to be a better ally and protect black people during protests. pic.twitter.com/7nNEe8Au2r
— Darian Benson (@HelloImDarian) June 10, 2020
Indy 10 Black Lives Matter's Erika Haskins says the releasing of the officer's name was a small victory, but the group will continue to apply pressure.
"We had IMPD, Chief Taylor, release the names," Haskins says. "But you know what, that's small to a giant. We need still them to hold the officer accountable for muder and we need them to tell the truth about Dreasjon Reed."
From the circle the group marched to Massachusetts Avenue. As the protesters marched past the restaurant patios in the area, some diners joined in the chants, raised a fist or took a knee in solidarity. The group stopped and formed a circle at the intersection of Mass Ave. and Alabama Street, parting only to let an ambulance through, as they made their demands known. When the march paused at New Jersey Street, organizers talked about racial disparities in mental health treatment, homelessness and education and the protesters took a knee to observe a moment of silence.
“We are taught not to reach out.” Zion Smith talking about mental health- an often taboo topic in the black community. Smith also talks about the black homeless community. pic.twitter.com/lVpVatNvDh
— Darian Benson (@HelloImDarian) June 10, 2020
As the march continued, organizers recognized Pride month, encouraged protesters to register to vote, and spoke of the need to end police brutality across the country.
There was one tense moment as protesters encountered a woman who threatened to call the police because protesters were blocking traffic. But, the march continued without incident.
The group has stopped in front of a car. A woman in the car has apparently called the police. pic.twitter.com/4laYRqeSKt
— Darian Benson (@HelloImDarian) June 10, 2020
Along the way back to Monument Circle, protest organizers occasionally stopped the march and addressed those on the patios of nearby establishments. They shared the group's demands with diners. Organizer Zion Smith urged white resturant patrons to support the protests and gave examples of how to get involved.
“If you want to be on the side of justice, do your part. That’s all we ask, that’s all we want.” Zion Smith addresses patrons at World of Beer, shares other ways to be an ally like donating and signing petitions. pic.twitter.com/6zjV4M8ZfU
— Darian Benson (@HelloImDarian) June 11, 2020
“If you want to be on the side of justice, do your part," Smith says. "That’s all we ask, that’s all we want.”
The protesters returned to Monument Circle just before 9 p.m. The evening concluded with the group taking a knee and observing a moment of silence for Reed and McHale Rose, who was also shot and killed by Indianapolis police on May 6.
— Darian Benson (@HelloImDarian) June 11, 2020
WFYI's Doug Jaggers and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
