Birthdays of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dontre Hamilton marked in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Demonstrators calling themselves the new leaders of the civil rights movement marked two notable birthdays in Milwaukee on Monday, January 19th. One is that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose birthday was four days ago. The other -- Dontre Hamilton whose birthday is January 20th.
Dontre Hamilton was shot and killed inside Red Arrow Park in April 2014 by former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney.
Monday's events began with the annual program at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Dontre Hamilton's mother was a featured speaker. She told those gathered -- the best gift they can give Dr. King is to unite.
"They need to hear us. They need to see us. You are all here today because you care," Maria Hamilton said.
Hamilton's mother said she sees similarities between Dr. King's fight and her family's.
"We ask that you continue to pray for us because we are strengthened on y'all love," Maria Hamilton said.
From the church, dozens of people marched to the statue of Dr. King. They sang "Happy Birthday" to both Hamilton and King along the way. Dontre Hamilton would have turned 32 years old this year.
"Dontre`s death caused the fight that we`re in and it was Martin`s fight from the beginning," Dontre Hamilton's brother Dameion Hamilton said.
Maria Hamilton was among those marchers -- encouraging her supporters to make sure the community sees and hears them.
"Our community has to do something to start healing and each and every one of you all and my family -- we can make that happen," Maria Hamilton said.
Later in the day, there was a birthday celebration for Dontre Hamilton at Club Timbuktu -- also a fundraiser to help pay for the fines of 74 protesters jailed during a rally that ended up on the interstate last month.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke called that protest "mob rule" and "mob behavior" but the Hamiltons don't see it that way.
"Everything that Martin tried to do is peaceful. Everything that we`re doing for our brother is peaceful," Dameion Hamilton said.
Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has announced Christopher Manney won’t face criminal charges in connection with Dontre Hamilton’s death.
Manney has been terminated from the Milwaukee Police Department for his handling of Dontre Hamilton — a termination he is appealing with the Fire and Police Commission.
Dontre Hamilton supporters are urging the Fire and Police Commission to uphold Manney’s termination.
Meanwhile, the United States Attorney has announced the United States Department of Justice will undertake a federal review of this case to determine if, under federal civil rights law, there is a basis, both legal and factual, upon which a federal civil rights prosecution may be premised. This review will be conducted by the FBI, the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and the Civil Rights Division.
One of the family’s attorneys says they’ve had several discussions with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and they believe that a federal investigation will prove their case and they hope to see charges.
Hamilton’s family attorney says a civil lawsuit is also currently in the works. Additionally, they are seeking a federal investigation into the patterns and practices of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.
CLICK HERE for further coverage of the Dontre Hamilton case via FOX6Now.com.