About 60 protestors brandishing signs and chanting “Move Mutchler, move out the way” shut down LMPD headquarters and portions of 6th and Jefferson Street in response to a controversial letter released by the president of the local Fraternal Order of Police Chapter.
FOP Lodge 614 President and LMPD police sergeant Dave Mutchler released a letter last Wednesday following the fatal shooting of Deng Manyoun condemning the “sensationalists, liars and race-baiters” who assault and “demonize” officers.
The protestors carried with them demands for further police reform, including the firing of Mutchler by Friday, drug and alcohol testing for officers and establishing a civilian review board with subpoena powers.
Former Councilwoman Attica Scott, one of the chief organizers of the protest said “We sent a strong message to LMPD. It’s a message to Chief Conrad, Mayor Fischer and the top five commanders that there are people in Louisville who will not stand for us being threatened."
There were some in attendance who disagreed with the tactics and tone of the demonstration. "I want to be very, very clear that what's happening today,” said Professor Ricky Jones, Chairman of Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville, who attended the protest. “It's unconstructive, it's protest without politics and it's short-sighted."
Councilman David James hosted a Community Forum in Old Louisville tonight to look at and attempt to resolve some of the issues leading up to the police shooting.
"I want people to have a sense of community and ownership so when they are sharing their thoughts with one another, that helps enforce that," James (D-District 6) said.
No arrests were made at the demonstration.
Mayor Fischer and Chief of Police Steve Conrad have distanced themselves from Mutchler's comments.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Ryan at WFPL News
