By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Organizers of a Rally for Justice say they will meet with top city of Salisbury officials Wednesday morning to ask for justice for blacks.
John C. Barnette, the head of a civil rights organization based in Gastonia, said if city officials don’t act to satisfy their concerns, the next step could be direct action including marches.
Barnette cited the brawl at the LaBamba Club, where a black police officer was recorded on video hitting a black man and later choking a black woman.
Barnette also cited an instance where he said a black employee of the city had been unfairly terminated.
He also announced plans to attend the funeral of Elbert Leon “Trey” Chambers III later today. Chambers was killed in a shooting last week. His brother, Bobby Chambers, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
He emphasized that he was not threatening the city in order to the get officer Kareem Puranda fired, but he said if negotiations fail, the next step will be direct action.
Puranda has been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of an SBI investigation of the incident and recordings.
As an example of the type of direct action his group might take, Barnette cited a march of 500 or more that he led in a town in Georgia.
Barnette also praised police, saying they have the toughest job in America, and called for a return to the days that police and communities interact.
“Police and grandma are scared of the young hip-hop generation,” he said.
The rally for justice will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Olen Bruner, pastor, said the doors will be open Thursday at 6 p.m. He noted that city officials have been invited to attend.
Barnette heads an organization called True Healing Under God, using the acronym THUG.
During a press conference Tuesday morning at the church, Barnette repeatedly referred to the impact Hip Hop music is having on kids, from wearing their pants below their hips to carrying guns.