On Friday, they occupied Milwaukee police headquarters; Another protest planned for Monday
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The anger in Ferguson, Missouri, after an unarmed, 18-year-old was shot and killed by a police officer, continues to make an impact in southeastern Wisconsin. Protesters crowded Milwaukee Police Department's headquarters on Friday, August 22nd, and another demonstration is planned for Monday afternoon.
Friday's protest began at Red Arrow Park, where 31-year-old Dontre Hamilton was shot and killed by a Milwaukee police officer in April.
On Monday, protesters plan to march from the federal courthouse to Red Arrow Park, and organizers say they're hoping it's just the start of something much bigger.
Friday's march wasn't supposed to end with protesters crammed into Milwaukee police headquarters.
"It was not planned, but that's what the family wanted to do," Mike Wilder said.
Wilder organized Friday's march.
Dontre Hamilton
31-year-old Dontre Hamilton was shot and killed inside Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee on April 30th. The officer who shot and killed Hamilton hasn't been charged. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is currently reviewing the case for charges, following the completion of the state Department of Justice's investigation.
When a police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Wilder says it rekindles questions in Milwaukee about when police are justified in taking someone's life.
"We want to get clear as to what the tactics are -- how they`re supposed to respond to incidents where they believe they need to use violent, deadly force," Wilder said.
In Ferguson, there appears to be some calm following a string of nights that ended with broken storefronts and crowds running from tear gas. Following the most violent nights, volunteers like Jake Barnett helped to clean the St. Louis suburb.
"I met a lot of neighbors. I cleaned with a lot of people from Ferguson. I cleaned with a lot of people from different parts of the city and I think the mood would be kind of just...that of unity, actually," Barnett said.
Michael Brown
Barnett grew up in Sussex and now lives in St. Louis. He says he's happy to see some of the tension relieved in Ferguson, but says there's still plenty to do.
"I think it`s been a wake-up call for people to say we need to change, stuff needs to change in our city," Barnett said.
Wilder says in Milwaukee, he's hoping to change the relationship between police and minorities for the better.
"That trust needs to be rebuilt and it needs to be rebuilt now," Wilder said.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office will decide whether the shooting of Dontre Hamilton was justified, and whether anyone should be charged.
Monday's protest is planned for 4:00 p.m. -- and will begin at the federal courthouse. The protest will occur on the same day Michael Brown's funeral is held in Ferguson.
CLICK HERE for coverage of Friday's protest.
CLICK HERE for more on the officer-involved shooting that killed Dontre Hamilton, via FOX6Now.com.
CLICK HERE for more on the officer-involved shooting that killed Michael Brown, via FOX6Now.com.