Activists plan early Monday morning protest at Mayor Finley’s home
MADISON – A protest rally at the home of Madison Mayor Paul Finley is planned for early Monday morning in connection with the Oct. 27 officer-involved shooting of Dana Fletcher, 39.
Police officers responding to a call at Planet Fitness in Madison shot and killed Fletcher two weeks ago after authorities say he pointed a gun at an officer.
Click here to read the findings of an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Activists who have been demanding the release of video evidence from the shooting, the Outcast Voters League and the newly formed Rocket City Freedom Fighters, say they will protest early Monday morning, Nov. 11, at the home of Mayor Finley.
Frank Matthews, founder of the Outcast Voters League, said there will also be a rally at 1 p.m. to show support for Fletcher’s family. It will be held in Huntsville, at 2969 Jordan Lane. Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the Fletcher Family, will then hold a press conference at 3 p.m., followed by a “Love, Not Hate” hayride in Madison.
“We will not be silent until this family receives answers, and justice is done,” Matthews said.
On Friday, about 10 to 12 people turned out for a small protest rally across from the Madison City Hall.
Madison Police said in a Nextdoor post before the protest that officers would assist with traffic control and safety “as the protesters exercise their constitutional rights of free speech and assembly.”
“Our Veterans fought for these rights defending the USA and we will also honor these rights for the protesters,” Madison Police Chief David Jernigan said. “This is what makes our country great.”
Since the shooting, calls to release the body cam footage to prove the officers’ account have increased. They were fueled by Fletcher’s wife posting on Facebook that her husband was unarmed.
Madison city and police officials have remained silent on the shooting while the incident has been under investigation, but Madison County Sheriff Chief Deputy Stacy Bates said Thursday Fletcher had a gun in his hand, pointed at a Madison police officer when he was shot.
“He didn’t just point it at an officer, he extended his arm out with the gun pointed directly toward the officer,” Bates said. “That was when it turned into a deadly force situation. None of the shots were fired until he had a weapon with his arm extended at the police officer.”
Investigators said the gun was recovered from Fletcher’s hand after he had been shot.
