Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 18, 1993 TAG: 9304180013
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
`THIS SENDS A MESSAGE . . .'
Here are reactions by some community leaders to the verdict in the Rodney King case:The Rev. Charles Green, president of the Roanoke chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People:
"I am relieved by the verdict, but I am somewhat disappointed that two officers were acquitted. Now, I'm concerned about whether the two [convicted] officers will get light sentences. I think they ought to spend some time in prison. If they get light sentences, it could cause more tension and outburst like that after last year's decision.
"I think the verdict might have a positive effect on police everywhere - and cause them to be more careful and cautious about the way they treat people.
"I think this case could prove to be a very historical event. It could have a long-term effect on police and community relations. But I don't think all police abuse and brutality will stop immediately."
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, a past president of the Roanoke NAACP and chairman of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee:
"I'm relieved because I had kind of expected a hung jury. I hope this sends a message to police and citizens that no one is above the law - not police officers, judges nor anyone else.
"Maybe this will stop the police brutality - even here in Roanoke and other places as well as in Los Angeles. Had this video tape of the King beating never made, the public would have never known about it. It became public only because someone filmed what was happening.
"This sends a message to police that they should not abuse people because someone might be watching them with a camera.
Police officers need to better trained to deal with such situations.
"I hope this helps police and the community to work together better. There is already enough hate and violence. We don't need anymore.
Perneller Chubb Wilson, president of the Concerned Citizens for Justice:
"Justice has been served. This was a case about people being abused and mistreated by police - not just black people, but white people, too. It is not just Rodney King, but all the others who are also being abused.
"We need to monitor police to see that this kind of thing doesn't happen again. If you've got someone down on the ground, you don't have to have four people to keep beating him."
Emerson Gilmer, a member of Salem's Biracial Committee:
"It is not a color thing for me. I don't care whether you are black, white, Asian, Indian or anyone else, there is no reason to beat a human being like the manner in which [King] was beaten.
"If we can get through this crisis, I think this could help improve racial relations. Any rioting and looting now would be counterproductive."
"This helps to level the playing field so people are treated more fairly and like they are humans."
Carolyn Johnson, president of the Lincoln Terrace Resident Council and a board member of the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority:
"I was surprised. I expected them to get off. I was pleased with the [verdict]. I hope it helps more people to have faith in our courts and the court system.
"It should help reduce police abuse and people being mistreated, but there are still many cases where people are not treated right. Maybe it will be a benefit and help improve relations between police and communities."
Marshall Fishwick, professor of humanities and communications at Virginia Tech:
"It shows that our judicial system still has huge power and effect. I think that most people still believe in the judicial system - and that is encouraging.
"But I think that the media made a bad situation even worse, and created a false crisis. It turned the case into almost a soap opera of whether the officers would - or would not - be convicted.
"When the media rides a subject to death, they can do a disservice to the country. The misuse of the media can be dangerous and create panic.
"When they show scenes of people buying guns to protect themselves, it adds to the mood of panic. I think the media should get low marks, especially the disc jockeys in Los Angeles."
William Rakes, Roanoke lawyer and president of the Virginia State Bar:
The worldwide attention the trial received made it difficult for the jury to focus on what should have been the only issue: whether or not the officers violated King's civil rights.
To expect the judicial system to address all the social, racial and and political ramifications of the case is to expect to much, Rakes said.
"The courts are not to be concerned with a referendum of what the public thinks," he said. "The whole idea of the courts is to protect individuals and the minority from the oppression of the majority.
"It puts tremendous pressure on the court system when there is this much pressure from the outside."
"If jurors considered not just the evidence they heard in court, but also whether or not their verdict might lead to public unrest, "that would be unfortunate."
As for the public's perception of the judicial system, Rakes said it would be unfair to base too much on just one case.
"I would like to think that this case and the decision is a non-event as far as the public's perception of the judicial system is concerned. But I don't know if anyone can accurately assess that."
William White, a Roanoke City Council member:
"We need to deal with the problems that create racial conflict and tension - poverty, high unemployment and lack of hope in many African-Amercian neighborhoods. We have a responsibility to deal with the problems and help create hope for the people.
"After you create jobs and offer hope for people, they will have respect for police. You won't have as many problems ih police and community relations if people have a hope for a better life."
Joshua Rubongoya, assistant professor of political science at Roanoke College:
"When you watch that video of the beating, it is difficult not to conclude that they intended [to violate King's civil rights]. In my opinion, the verdict was fair.
"I anticipated that two or more of the officers would be convicted. After so many beating strokes by the police officers, I thought it would be difficult for the defense to convince the jury that there was no intent to deny King's rights.
"I think cases of police brutality will be taken more seriously in the future. There will be more concern about the location of the trial and the selection of the jury. [The four officers were acquitted at their first trial last year in a state court in suburban Los Angeles.]
"It remains to be seen whether the verdict will have help improve [police and community relations] and cause officers to be more cautious [in using force to make arrests.]"
Melody Stovall, executive director of the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture:
"I was pleased with the verdict. I think that it sent a message to police departments that their training must make them more sensitive to people's rights and they can't brutalize people. "African Americans and other minorities have long complained about police brutality, but it has been often ignored. I think the verdict indicates that changes are needed."
Rev. Alvord Beardslee, retired Hollins College chaplain:
"It seems to be a fair verdict, with two convicted and two acquitted - one of them was a rookie and the other tried to stop it. I hope the decision will cause Los Angeles and other cities to give more attention to the problems that have created racial tensions.
"I think [the verdict] will offer some hope for the oppressed. And I hope it will cause police to stop [mistreating blacks and others]. I think it's about time for that."