Unhappy anniversary

(photo by Joeff Davis)

KATHRYN JOHNSTON ANNIVERSARY: FTP vigil outside Johnston’s home

Thanksgiving eve was the first anniversary of the killing of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston by Atlanta police. Johnston was shot multiple times during a bogus drug raid, after which cops planted drugs to cover up their crime.

Shortly before the mayor and Chief Pennington’s photo-op memorial ceremony outside her home, a group calling itself FTP held its own vigil. Part of the group’s “Cease Fire: Stop Police Terrorism Campaign,” the gathering included speakers from Operation Lead, New Order, International Action Center and Coalition for Justice, all speaking out against what they call an epidemic of police shootings of African-American victims in major cities across the United States.

Among the speakers was ex-Rep. Cynthia McKinney, who told the crowd about the four unarmed African-Americans who had been killed by Miami police in the 19 days prior to the vigil.

FTP spokesman Kalonji Changa mocked the prison sentences the two white officers who’ve already pleaded guilty for the shooting will receive. If he (Changa), an African-American, had burst into a woman’s home and killed her, he asked, “Would I be facing only 10-12 years?” “No!” was the crowd’s response.

The vigil ended with a march through the streets to the chants of “Rise up! We are not going to take it anymore.”

Several hours later, the crowd at Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta police Chief Richard Pennington’s vigil was larger, but police officers outnumbered members of the community. In a ceremony called “Remembrance and Healing,” and heavy on photo opportunities, two white birds were released and candles were lit.

Asked about the two separate gatherings, FTP spokesmen Kalonji Changa said, “The cease-fire campaign is about justice for the people. We feel the city event was more a mockery of justice.”