WATCH: Protest Over Tate-Brown Shooting Turns Violent at Community Meeting
Thursday night’s town hall on policing at Lawncrest Recreation Center was scheduled weeks before D.A. Seth Williams announced that he would not bring charges in the killing of Brandon Tate-Brown. But that announcement today assured that emotions would be running high, and just as soon as the meeting opened with the introduction of Commissioner Charles Ramsey, protest broke out. Things escalated from there. The meeting eventually resumed; numerous protesters were reportedly arrested, none requiring medical attention.
Starting to be a full house at Lawncrest Rec Center for #policingPHL town hall. pic.twitter.com/O5SrzKvxdi
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Looks like there will be protesters. #policingPHL
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
State Rep. Mark Cohen: "We obviously have people here who are critics." #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/Ak9wT6amEX
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Cohen introduces Commissioner Ramsey. Boos. Chants of "Shame!" #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/DVSBF1Z8vg
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
"No justice no peace!" #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/Vuh7bKVbiw
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Panel sits quietly. #policingPHL "We are here because we want to know who killed Brandon Tate Brown!"
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
#policingPHL pic.twitter.com/rfyEOHdW1C
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Protesters in face of Commissioner Ramsey, DA Williams. Cries of "pig!" #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/D3OHaIzQwp
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Officers shoving protesters out. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/PjQDs3atMj
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Chaos. Fights break out. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/ATr68bGLK2
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Police don't like me approaching. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/ieJ9aOwGAj
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Just heard an officer in strike force gear. "Can't we all just get along?" #policingPHL
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Ramsey says the violence is why he won't name officers in Brandon Tate-Brown shooting. #policingPHL
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Ramsey; "What you saw here today was embarrassing." #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/aXRyINXyk7
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Seth Williams also giving interviews. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/z6oAohfP83
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
"Now is the time for calm voices. Now is the time for real conversation. That's why I'm here tonight." #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/qAjHRaxonc
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
Captain Frank Palumbo oversees clearing out. pic.twitter.com/1ZtXAHx2IV
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
I asked if it wise to hold this meeting after today's announcement. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/TvoD47zuVe
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015
The meeting resumes with seriously thinned-out crowd. #policingPHL pic.twitter.com/psCuHgEEy3
— Joel Mathis (@joelmmathis) March 19, 2015