The death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement sparked police reform efforts and organizing all over the country. But in the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there hasn’t been as much action.
By Ashley Norwood, Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Chants of “No justice, no peace and “I can’t breathe” filled the air in Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, Ala. on May 25, 2021, one year after a police officer killed George Floyd. It’s the same space where activists gathered this time last year.
“I was in the exact same place fighting for George Floyd s justice,” said Satura Dudley, 21, executive director of the social justice group Cell A65. “Obviously the trial happened. We allegedly got justice. That s not really justice when he s already dead.”
Floyd’s death, after nine minutes under the knee of a police officer, is what inspired Dudley, 21, to become an activist.
Congressman wants DOJ probe: Mississippi jail death ‘equal to the George Floyd situation’ Jerry Mitchell
Replay Video UP NEXT
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, is asking the Justice Department to investigate the 2018 jail death of Robert Loggins in Grenada.
“No question it’s equal to the George Floyd situation,” he said, alluding to the 2020 death of Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes.
Asked if the Justice Department had begun to investigate, Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of Oxford responded, “We cannot comment on any investigation.”
Calls for an investigation came after the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting published a video of Loggins’ death inside the jail on Nov. 29, 2018. The video shows Loggins slowly rolling when officers get on top of him inside the Grenada County Jail, with one officer appearing to kneel on his neck and sit on his head.
View Comments
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, is asking the Justice Department to investigate the 2018 jail death of Robert Loggins in Grenada.
“No question it’s equal to the George Floyd situation,” he said, alluding to the 2020 death of Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes.
Asked if the Justice Department had begun to investigate, Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of Oxford responded, “We cannot comment on any investigation.”
Calls for an investigation came after the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting published a video of Loggins’ death inside the jail on Nov. 29, 2018. The video shows Loggins slowly rolling when officers get on top of him inside the Grenada County Jail, with one officer appearing to kneel on his neck and sit on his head.
Investigators: Questions surround Mississippi manâs death in police custody as lawsuit is filed Robert Loggins, 26, died inside the Grenada County Jail Nov. 29, 2018 and his death was ruled accidental by the state medical examinerâs office. Jailhouse video, officer interviews and a lawsuit are now calling into question how Loggins died and why. (Source: WMC) By Jessica Jaglois | May 6, 2021 at 9:55 PM CDT - Updated May 7 at 3:39 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A new lawsuit is shining light on how a Mid-South man died in police custody.
Robert Loggins, 26, died inside the Grenada County Jail Nov. 29, 2018 and his death was ruled accidental by the state medical examinerâs office.