Madison police shooting forces liberal city to look at race gap
Updated: 2015-03-12 14:55
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
MADISON, Wis. - The fatal police shooting of an unarmed biracial teen in Madison, Wisconsin, has cast a light on the divide between the liberal whites that dominate the university city and its black residents, who said this week they feel marginalized.
Since the death on Friday evening of 19-year-old Tony Robinson, Madison has seen days of protests and a measured response by the city's police department. However, the demonstrations still evoked memories of the violent clashes that erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, 350 miles (563 kilometers) to the south following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in August.
Robinson was shot after Officer Matt Kenny responded to calls about a man dodging cars in traffic who had allegedly battered another person, according to police officials. They said Kenny fired after Robinson attacked him.
Madison, a city of 243,000, is perennially near the top of media rankings of the best places to live in the United States. But residents and Robinson's family said his shooting by a veteran police officer should force the city, with a 7 percent African American population, to look past the veneer of bike paths and music clubs to address the underlying issues of racism and poverty.
Meaca Moore, 22, a sociology student who came from Columbus, Ohio, to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said the city's black residents deal with social isolation on a daily basis.
"It feels like you're a walking circus, a freak show," said Moore, one of several dozen residents at a Madison Police and Fire Commission meeting on Monday evening.
Many residents at the crowded meeting in Madison City Hall complained of persistent racism despite state and county task forces to deal with the issue.
"Madison is the worst place a black person can live," Moore said in an interview.
Related Stories
Wisconsin capital marked by 3rd day of protests after police shooting 2015-03-09 10:34
5 dead in shooting at restaurant in Mali capital 2015-03-07 21:07
Shooting kills eight in eastern Czech town 2015-02-24 23:32
Police kill black teen in US state of Wisconsin 2015-03-08 04:42
Black activists cleared in court for 1961 sit-in 2015-01-30 07:54
Today's Top News
Italian court upholds Berlusconi's acquittal
UK companies seek new opportunities in China
CNR, CSR merger passes overseas antitrust scrutiny
Official urges Dalai Lama to forsake evil ways
China approves new nuclear power project since 2011
China February inflation quickens to 1.4%
Apple unveiled first wearable watch
French Olympians among dead in Argentina crash
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |
Yearender: What happened around the globe in 2014 |