Stop Police Brutality March and Rally Held in Fresno

all photos by Mike Rhodes

The family of Everardo Torres spoke about the injustice that ended his life. Torres was arrested and put in the back of a Madera Police Department (Madera is about 20 miles North of Fresno). While he was in custody and handcuffed in the back of the cruiser a police officer opened the door and shot him through the heart.

The family pictured above had their loved one killed one block from where the march started. The young man who was killed had failed to raise his hands fast enough. The police said they thought he had a gun, shot, and killed him. Of course, he did not have a gun. There are many sad stories about stolen lives in Fresno. The police shot and killed one woman here because she had an ax and was on a car lot. They shot one young man who was suspected of having stolen some beer. He started to drive off and was shot multiple times. The police claim they heard a gun shot, which they later claimed “might have been” a backfire from an automobile.

Rev. Jessup said he was pulled over in an old truck not long ago. He admits he ran a stop sign while looking for an address. The police were extremely polite, did not give him a ticket, and gave him directions on how to find the address. White Privilege. If he had been black or brown, would he have been given a ticket or found himself in handcuffs? Other speakers pointed out the need for an Independent Police Auditor in this community. This event was a cry to stop police brutality. No More Stolen Lives!