Public hearing to discuss protests in Huntsville

Public hearing to discuss protests in Huntsville

To our website waay-tv-dot-com.

New information -- the first listening session with the huntsville police advisory council wrapped up just a couple hours ago.

More than 20 people were able to voice their opinions on the interactions between law enforcement and protesters during the early june protests.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live outside huntsville city hall after hearing what they had to say.

Will?

Tonight was just about listening to the public.

Most who spoke argued that the actions of the police during the june 1 and 3 protests were wrong.

Russell stanners, participated in protests i need you to do something about that.

Are we 'law and order' or are we 'protect and serve'?

One serves power, the other serves the people.

Person after person took to the mic wednesday evening to call out what they describe as inappropriate police actions taken on june 1 and june 3 in downtown huntsville.

Those like catherine hereford also argued that the justification by police afterward was less than satisfactory.

Catherine hereford, community activist they used the 'outside agitator' thing to discredit the fact that we have justifiably angry citizens here.

Justifiably angry.

Brook justice, spoke at hearing this newfound fear for police is only new for some.

To our black and brown-skinned brothers and sisters, they have felt this way their whole lives.

Rita maya burkholder said she believes the city isn't being honest with the public.

Rita maya burkholder, photographer at protests i feel that there's a huge disconnect between the administration, the police department and the sheriff's accounting of the events on june 1 and 3.

Bob baccus was the only one on wednesday who spoke in support of the police actions.

He admits he wasn't at the protests and says he's uncertain if the use of gas and rubber bullets was appropriate.

Baccus believes that protesters should've listened to police and left before they used those weapons.

Bob baccus, spoke in support of huntsville police you be prepared for the worst and expect the best, expect people to disperse and go home.

And if they'd dispersed and gone home, we wouldn't have had the meeting tonight.

The huntsville police citizens advisory council received more than 750 written comments before tonight and they are now able to receive videos and photos as well.

Liz huntley is one of the attorney's representing the council.

She says her job is to help them be transparent.

Liz huntley, attorney, lightfoot, franklin & white, llc framing a process that was both transparent, that was shrouded in integrity and that found a way to capture all of the information that would be available to them as they conduct this very serious investigation.

Huntley says that the materials that are gathered by the council, both by the public and by police, will be published on the council's website for public review.

She says they've already begun to request and collect materials from not just huntsville police, but also other law enforcement involved in the protests, like the madison county sheriff's office.

Reporting live in huntsville, will robinson-smith, waay 31 news.

Thank you, will.

The next public listening session will be august 28 starting at 8 a-m.

They are also working to schedule a session for organizations to come forward with presentations.

That should happen sometime next month.