Justice for #TonyMitchell! A Different Walker County Is Possible
Protestors exercising their First Amendment rights by non-violent protest standing on the steps of the Walker County, Alabama Sheriff's Department. Photo source from WBRC Fox News 6 in Alabama.
What a privilege it is to be standing here with all of you this afternoon. I can not help but be reminded of the words of the author of the letter of Hebrews when they said, “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” I can’t think of a greater cloud of witnesses to find myself among than each of you today.
We have been brought here together across party lines, political ideologies, and religious affiliations because we all share something in common…We want justice!
Justice for Tony Mitchell!
Justice for His family! Justice for every single person who has been treated with cruelty and inhumanity at the hands of WCSO and all systems of oppression that seek to destroy life in this community.
If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
This is a race, and today is just the first leg of the journey. There is a long road ahead of us because we know that those who pander in lies and deceit, those that wield the power of propaganda over this community are working as hard as they can to bury the truth and avoid accountability. They are more organized than us, but we are outraged. They have more resources than us, but we are not afraid. They say they serve and protect, but we know… we know that if that was the truth they would have nothing to hide.
Look around you, these are your neighbors, your friends, and maybe even some that you thought were enemies. Their presence here is a testimony that a different world is possible. I ain’t a rich man and I ain’t got much to my name and that is why I have to believe that a different walker county is possible. This community is the only inheritance my kids have to look forward to when I am gone. So I have to believe that It doesn’t have to be this way. I am convinced I have no choice but to have some kind of faith in each of you, in us that we can find a way to make sure what happened to Tony never happens again.
Strong communities don’t tolerate bullies!
Strong communities take care of one another!
Strong communities don’t need militarized police forces!
And friends, I believe that we are STRONG!
It would be naive, nay foolish to think that what has happened to Tony was merely a glitch in the system. This type of treatment is not a bug, it’s a feature, y’all! From the so-called “punishment cell” with no windows, bed, or even a pot to piss in, to the lies and attempts to pretend as if there is no blood on their hands we know how they treat inmates. We know that corrections officers collect and share videos of inmate abuse like they are playing some kind of sick and twisted trading card game. We also know that this behavior is not isolated to the WCSO department. Don’t worry JPD our eyes are on you too. Jesus of Nazareth once said that we will know a tree by its fruit and it's clear that this whole thing is rotten all the way down to the root. We know that this is the fruit of a culture of abuse and toxicity. The problem with the WCSO is that for all their god talk and claims to serve Jesus, you know that guy who was murdered in police custody, they must have missed the parts about their “sins finding them out!” Or about how “we all reap what we sow”, or that Jesus came to cast down the mighty, not give them a badge and bullet, and to free the captives not leave them in a concrete box to die like some kind of animal. What goes on behind them walls, when the PR cameras are off, is nothing short of demonic.
To treat another human being this way is blasphemy.
And I am here to tell y’all that I believe with all of my heart that God will not be mocked by Christo-fascist like Nick Smith, who use Jesus as a prop while destroying the lives of those made in his image. I believe that the arch of the universe bends toward justice. I believe that a different world is possible. Do you? Will you believe with us? Will you keep rolling up your sleeves and putting your hands to the plow until we see Justice for Tony and his family?
I look around and all I can think about is that Dr. Cornel West once said that “justice is what love looks like in public.” And let me tell you something.. all I see here is love. Love for Tony, Love for his family, and love for this community. This right here is what walker County looks like! There is a long road ahead and we ain't got no plans of stopping here, but even if they slither their way out of this and there is no justice, there is just us! Do you hear me? There is JUST US! And that is enough!
Aims and Demands
Immediate
The Release of ALL footage to Tony’s family, both body cams and jail surveillance, pertaining to the arrest, and detainment of Anthony “Tony” Mitchell from the time of the wellness check until his death at the Hospital.
The Immediate resignation of Sheriff Nick Smith and Corrections Officer TJ Armstrong and that all officers and personnel involved directly or indirectly in the events that led to the death of Anthony “Tony” Mitchell be placed on immediate unpaid administrative leave from the Walker County Sheriff’s Department pending the pinging investigation by the FBI and SBI.
Longterm
The creation of a non-police-operated emergency medical response team that will respond to all instances of medical distress and wellness checks funded by the money Walker County has, and is receiving on behalf of the National Opioid settlements.
The creation of an independent police oversight committee as a means of holding the Walker County Sheriff’s Department accountable to the county’s constituents.
This speech by Ryan Cagle was delivered at the February 18th, 2023 protest at the Walker County, Alabama Courthouse to protest the wrongful death of Tony Mitchell at the hands of the Walker County Sheriff’s Department.
TW: For more information about the #TonyMitchell case, please see the following news article here.