Weekend protests in the Decatur community marked the six-month anniversary of the officer-involved shooting that led to the death of Steve Perkins.
Last Wednesday, 1819 News released footage of the incident turned over by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to the Morgan County District Attorney's office, which ultimately led to the indictment of one of the officers involved in the shooting. Until then, only small clips and ring doorbell camera footage had been released to the public.
Speaking to WAAY 31, Lawrence Souffrant, co-founder of Standing in Power, said it was "shocking" that no Decatur leaders had discussed the leaked body camera footage.
"I'm one of those who believe that their silence is loud," Souffrant said. "The fact that they had an opportunity to encourage the citizens and try to build a rapport and some trust in the system. They truly dropped the ball."
"I think it's time for him [the Police Chief] to go. The best-case scenario is that every officer involved is arrested, charged and convicted not just one officer because that would not have happened had they not organized and conspired the way that they did." He said.
Many in the community on both sides of the issue were pleased about the video's release, saying that it proved their point. However, corporate media in Huntsville has refused to share the ALEA footage.
Each outlet referenced a temporary gag order placed on those involved in the case until April, alleging the video could taint a jury pool. However, that did not prevent Huntsville media from releasing the neighbor's camera video showing the shooting in addition to interviewing neighbors and publishing their comments about what occurred.
SEE ALSO: Huntsville media refuse to air ALEA body cam footage of Stephen Perkins shooting
Some with the Justice for Steve Perkins movement said they plan to attend Monday's Decatur City Council work session at Decatur City Hall,
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com or on Twitter @BradleyCoxAL.
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