"Dontre meant a lot:" One year after his death, Hamilton family says there's more work to do

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Dontre Hamilton's family led a march through downtown Milwaukee on Thursday, April 30th, one year after Hamilton was fatally shot by a Milwaukee police officer.

The Hamilton family called this 'Dontre Day' -- saying it was to be a celebration of Dontre's life. More than 100 people took to the streets of Milwaukee from the Center St. Library around 3:30 p.m. They made their way to Red Arrow Park where Hamilton was shot.

"Dontre meant a lot to us, so we wanted the city to see us marching," Hamilton's brother, Dameion Perkins said.

The three-mile walk was met with a celebration at Red Arrow Park. It was all meant for Dontre Hamilton.



The shooting of Dontre Hamilton happened on April 30, 2014 after Milwaukee police got calls about a man sleeping in the park. Former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney was terminated from the Milwaukee Police Department for his handling of Hamilton that day — specifically for a pat down of Hamilton that violated his training. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm decided Manney would not be criminally charged in the case, but a Fire and Police Commission panel decided to uphold Manney’s firing from MPD, and ruled that his use of force in this case violated policy.

Prior to Thursday's march, organizers did not have a permit to march in the streets. The Milwaukee Police Department was concerned about that. But by early afternoon, the permit issue was sorted out -- and the march went off peacefully.

Nate Hamilton spoke before the marchers left the Center St. Library.

"This is about unity. This is about peace. This is about community coming together on this day because Dontre has awakened the nature of Milwaukee to be different; to learn how to love, to learn how to care, to learn how to support one another," said Hamilton. "So on this day we want the community to come out and be supportive of the Hamilton family, the name Dontre -- be respectful of it and come out in a peaceful manner."

The Hamilton family says this day was about celebrating change and acknowledging more work in the future.

"Going to the gravesite, I know that God had a bigger plan for Dontre. This right here is the plan that God had to use Dontre's death and life as a seed to building this community. I will forever, forever be grateful to him and his spirit," said Maria Hamilton, Dontre Hamilton's mother.

"We're saying we can do it. We can provide a community with value, with high standards to hold each other accountable as citizens," said Nate Hamilton.

"We're building communities here. We're not tearing up stuff," Maria Hamilton said.

"If we could hold ourselves accountable, then we can hold our police department accountable," said Nate Hamilton.

"I have hope because Dontre's blood is in this park," said Maria Hamilton.

"It does not take violence to make a statement," Dameion Perkins said.

Nate Hamilton says they are currently working on legislation dealing with police values. And Maria Hamilton will be a part of the Million Mom March in Washington, D.C. next week.

Those who gathered at Red Arrow Park Thursday were encouraged to bring flowers and stuffed animals for a small memorial. There was also food and music.

As for Christopher Manney, he has eight more days to appeal his firing. The Fire and Police Commission panel's ruling upholding his termination was filed on Tuesday -- and that set into motion 10 days for Manney to file an appeal.