"No justice, no peace. Don't trust the police:" Activist issues music video focused on conflicts with police

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee community activist who has taken to the streets with marches is now taking his message to YouTube. Tory Lowe has created a music video -- and it highlights some of Milwaukee's most controversial conflicts with police.

The video premiered on July 5th, and is Tory Lowe's latest effort to focus attention on recent community conflicts with police.

"Looking at everything -- I think this song is appropriate," Lowe said.

The music video, posted to YouTube includes appearances from family members of those killed or injured in police incidents -- and includes surveillance video of difficult incidents.

For example, Derek Williams dying in the back of a police squad car -- gasping for air, and Corey Stingley, who died while being restrained by citizens who accused him of stealing at a convenience store.

No one was charged in connection with either death.

Lowe's song repeats this message: "No justice, no peace. Don't trust the police."

Lowe says his song reflects feelings within the community.

"When you hear no justice, no peace -- that's not me. That's a whole bunch of people. That's a crowd of people saying it," Lowe said.

Cooperation and trust between the police and the public has been a goal of law enforcement officials.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn encourages it -- as he did in a news conference after a violent incident last summer.

"We need for people to pick up their phones, for them to say 'this is my neighborhood too,'" Chief Flynn said.

Lowe has stated publicly that trust is important for healing.

"When there is mistrust, there is no healing," Lowe said.

Lowe says he still wants that trust, and wants relations between police officers and members of the community to change.

"When you make music, it will never die. When you put things in a musical format, people will always be able to listen to that, to share that information," Lowe said.

The Milwaukee Police Department did not respond to a phone call for comment -- and a spokesman for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission declined to comment.

There is another video planned. Lowe says the next video will address the topic of violence in Milwaukee.

CLICK HERE if you'd like to learn more about Tory Lowe.