Protesting Police Violence

Friday was the vigil for Quanice Hayes, and Saturday was the protest outside the precinct office that is home to the officer who killed Quanice a year ago. Standing behind Donna Hayes, Quanice’s grandmother who holds the microphone, is Shiloh Wilson-Phelps, mother of Bodhi Phelps, killed by police in 2016. Shiloh is one of three mothers of sons murdered by police who now join Donna Hayes for protests to stop police violence. Shiloh’s son, Bodhi Phelps, was addicted to heroin and was involved in an argument with his girlfriend when police shot and killed him, claiming he had a knife. 

Quanice’s family has decided to sue the city and is attempting to raise money for legal fees.  “It’s not that we want money,” Donna explains. “Money won’t bring back Quanice, and it won’t protect his brothers or any of our children from being shot by police. But people who haven’t lost children forget. They look away. They think it won't happen to them, so they lose interest. The family that has lost a child never forgets. Suing is one way to call attention to a problem that has to be fixed so that we don’t lose more children.”