The Birmingham Times
After an officer-involved shooting death of a 28-year-old Black man on Easter Sunday and calls from Black Lives Matter Birmingham to step down, Mayor Randall Woodfin said he will not resign.Â
Last month, Desmon Ray Jr. was killed by Birmingham Police on Easter Sunday when responding to a domestic dispute call in the 200 block of Ninth Avenue West.Â
On Monday, Black Lives Matter Birmingham called for the resignations of Woodfin and Police Chief Patrick Smith, stating their handling of the police killing of Ray is âunacceptable.âÂ
During a virtual news conference on Tuesday, Woodfin said pointedly: âI want to make this point very clear, I will not be resigning.âÂ
‘We demand justice’: Emotional vigil held for man fatally shot by Birmingham police
Updated 9:51 PM;
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More than 100 people gathered just yards from where Desmon Ray Jr. was fatally shot by Birmingham police on Easter Sunday, remembering better times with the 28-year-old father of six and demanding answers in his death.
“It’s a very unfortunate reality that another mother, another father, have to bury their child with no explanation as to why,’ said Eric Hall, co-founder of Birmingham’s Black Lives Matter.
“It’s a very unfortunate reality. It’s one that we have endured far too many times. We’re calling for answers.”
By Erica Wright
The Birmingham TimesÂ
Desmon Ray Jr. had a big smile and even bigger heart, remembered family members during a candlelight vigil Thursday night for the 28-year-old killed in an officer-involved shooting on Easter Sunday.
âThat was my baby, he loved his mama, he loved his children, he loved everybody,â said LaShondra Wilson, Rayâs mother. âMy baby would come and get in the bed with me and make it known that he loved his mama. [He would] call and check on me day-to-day if he didnât see me⦠when Iâm at work, he would call me and ask if Iâm having a good day. I miss my baby. Justice is all I want, thatâs it, for my baby.â