"N. TX demonstrators protest police shootings"
2014-08-20 from "myfoxdfw.com" [http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/26328877/gun-club-patrols-south-dallas-streets]:
Several rallies took place Wednesday in both Dallas and Arlington, where demonstrators protested against police shootings.
The streets of downtown Dallas were filled Wednesday night with hundreds of demonstrators.
The rally started at 8 p.m. and was part of an event called Don't Shoot Dallas. It was sparked on social media with the hashtag #DontShoot.
Earlier Wednesday, other demonstrators held an open carry gun march through South Dallas to protest against police shootings.
Organizers there said the show of force served as a reminder of the right to bear arms to protect themselves from criminals and from police.
About 30 men and women with the Huey P. Newton Gun Club rallied through the streets, focusing on deadly police shootings from the Ferguson, MO shooting death of teen Michael Brown to shootings by local police.
Some carried long guns, rifles, shotguns and AR-15s, while others carried signs others and wore messages.
“I think it's a good thing,” said Reginald Cofer with Mothers Against Teen Violence.
“They are trying to protect the community,” said Jacey Cofer with Mothers Against Teen Violence. “At the city hall meeting the other day, we got no answers. It's been a bunch of murders, the cops are not being accountable for it, and we want answers.”
The marchers entered a south Dallas restaurant with their weapons, where Dallas police officers inside were finishing eating lunch.
“My brother was killed by Dallas police back in June,” said David Harrison, whose brother, Jason, was shot and killed by Dallas police June 14.
Police were called to the Harrison home on that day by Jason's mother, and police said Jason lunged at them with a screwdriver.
Jason's family is still waiting for answers.
“Trying to have patience and just keeping busy staying with everything and hoping that the right thing is gonna be done,” said David.
People watched as the marchers worked their way along Malcolm X Boulevard, and Dallas police in a black SUV provided unsolicited security for the demonstrators.
One of them, Drew X with the New Black Panther Party, warned, “If they don't get these people under control with this police brutality and this abuse, this gonna be an international crisis.”
The gun club takes its name from Huey P. Newton, one of the founders of the original Black Panther Party that evolved in the 1960s.
UT Arlington students also peacefully protested against police brutality on Wednesday as well.
“It really hit home with me because of [Michael Brown's] age,” said UTA student and rally organizer Bryana Peoples. “He's within our generation and I feel our generation should know about this situation.”
Former Arlington Assistant Police Chief James Hawthorne believes there can and needs to be more mutual trust between police and the public.
“The vast majority of police officers in our country are decent, hardworking men and women trying to do their job under extraordinary circumstances, and I know because I spent 28 years as a police officer,” said Hawthorne.
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