IMPD Sgt Matthew Grimes was asked to speak to the youth of a primarily black church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. He was invited by Pastor James Harrington to spread goodwill among the black youth and the police department.
During his speech, there was an "apparent" argument in the back of the room between two adults that became so confrontational, the office hurried to the back of the room to diffuse the situation. The "argument" quickly got out of hand and then became physical. In trying to break up the disagreement, the participants threw the officer to the ground, injuring his back.
While on the floor, the officer began to reach for his tazer.
It was only then that Pastor Harrington started yelling, "'Don't shoot! This is staged. This has been staged'."
This church Pastor premediated a set-up hoping to entrap a white IMPD officer by staging a fight in front of some troubled black youths. It has now been reported by the local news stations the Chief of Police is calling for charges in this incident
Sgt. Grimes back may be permanently injured according to the doctors and is currently having to be relegated to desk duty due to the injury.
As if that isn't bad enough, the church finally issued an official statement about the incident yesterday, eight days after the incident.
"We first deny any criminal activities as it relates to the actions of Friday evening at the Municipal Gardens. Mt. Vernon did not organize nor participate in this event," said Vernita Moore, Mt. Vernon trustee. "Rev. Jimmy Harrington acted in his own individual capacity as a member of the community."
Instead of the "We first deny any criminal activity..." they should have FIRST apologized for the actions of their "pastor". Sadly, the late Mozel Sander's former church has now shamed his name. And perverted Dr. King's message. Both of these fine men would be turning over in their graves.
Racism is racism, no matter the color. And, as a warning, all racists comments of either kind will be deleted.
I only wish Sgt. Grimes hadn't waited so long to pull the tazer. If the participants and the idiotic, racist Harrington had a few volts of a tazer jumping through their bodies, the shock might have, just might have zapped Dr. King's message into their brains. But I doubt it.
With our black youth being "led" by the likes of Harrington, is there any wonder why there were TEN kids shot during Black Expo this year?
This has now made national news, if the Pastor thought this was going to go away easily, he is sadly mistaken.
August 28, 1963, Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
He said: (emphasis added)
"But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." ...
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. ...."
So many people seem to have forgotten Dr. King's last seven words.
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