Less than an hour after the murder conviction of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, a Columbus Police officer fatally shot Ma’Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old girl.
Body camera footage of the incident was released shortly thereafter, and shows Bryant wielding a knife in what appears to be the attempted stabbing of at least one other girl:
https://twitter.com/WayneDupreeShow/status/1384853895399153667
But before that footage was released, activists jumped to condemn the officer involved in the shooting, whose name has not yet been released, and the police as a whole. In fact, the condemnations rolled in before Bryant’s first name was even known, leading many to spell it “Makiyah” while they raged against law enforcement.
Dr. Jason Johnson, a communications professor at Morgan State University, questioned whether policing could be reformed.
#MakiyahBryant – a 15 year old black girl in Columbus Ohio was shot after calling the police for help. Just minutes after the #DerekChauvinTrial – Tell me again how this can be "reformed"? https://t.co/tCq5JmqPwg
— Dr. Jason Johnson (@DrJasonJohnson) April 21, 2021
Dr. Trevon D. Logan of Ohio State University, located in Columbus, said he was feeling “pessimistic.”
“A Black child was shot and killed by police today. In my city. It never, ever ends…” he said.
If I seem pessimistic please note: while they were reading the verdict of Derek Chauvin, 15 year old #MakiyahBryant was being shot 4 times by Columbus, Ohio police. A Black child was shot and killed by police today. In my city. It never, ever ends…
— Dr. Trevon D Logan (@TrevonDLogan) April 20, 2021
Attorney Judith Browne Dianis said Bryant “called 911 for protection,” and that the guilty verdict in Chauvin’s trial was not “justice for Black people,” and suggested that policing in America is irredeemable.
Don’t tell me the #DerekChauvinVerdict is a new day. Don’t tell me the verdict was justice for Black people. Don’t tell me Chauvin was a bad apple. Don’t tell me this verdict will change policing in America.#makiyahbryant
— Judith Browne Dianis (@jbrownedianis) April 21, 2021
Activist Leslie Mac chastised White Americans and the police before the body camera footage was released:
https://twitter.com/LeslieMac/status/1384651651437432832
Even after the body camera footage was released, leftist activists rushed to excuse Bryant’s behavior, and continued to condemn the police.
“Teenagers have been having fights including fights involving knives for eons. We do not need police to address these situations by showing up to the scene & using a weapon against one of the teenagers. Y’all need help. I mean that sincerely,” activist Bree Newsome Said.
“Everyone should be frightened that the ruling White elite have done such a thoroughly successful job of not only disconnecting us from the means of basic self-sufficiency but also convincing us we need armed White officers to manage our children & communities. Frightening,” she continued.
Everyone should be frightened that the ruling white elite have done such a thoroughly successful job of not only disconnecting us from the means of basic self-sufficiency but also convincing us we need armed white officers to manage our children & communities.
Frightening.
— FREE PALESTINE, NO MASTERS (@BreeNewsome) April 21, 2021
Far-left former comedian Kathy Griffin joined the chorus, questioning how the police officer could “fire shots blindly into a group of teenagers,” which is an inaccurate characterization of the event, based on the body camera footage.
WARNING. How in the hell does this police officer think it’s a good idea to fire shots blindly into a group of teenagers having a fight. Yes one of them has a knife. Oh, that never happened in your school or neighborhood? She didn’t deserve to die. 16 years old. #makhiabryant https://t.co/hnimSwnG7s
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) April 21, 2021
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther confirmed Tuesday night that the officer involved in the shooting has been temporarily relieved of his duties while the incident is investigated further.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Protester” by Becker1999. CC BY 2.0.
