Equal Justice Initiative Has Its Eyes on Sheffield

 

Sheffield. What can you say about Sheffield? One of the two Sheffield bloggers who toil here once wrote some beautiful comments on what the city was like in its glory days. Yet a Florence friend has mentioned one of the few points of friction between her parents was her father opposing her mother's shopping in that Colbert town due to its "wild citizens."

When asked about the current situation in Sheffield, Colbert Commissioner Tori Bailey replied: “There has long been a kind of disconnect between communities of color and law enforcement. Unfortunately, many of us do not feel that law enforcement is actually there to serve and protect.”

According to attorney Roderick Van Daniel and the Equal Justice Initiative, he is currently representing five Black and Latino citizens in suits against the City of Sheffield. (We can't keep up!) One of these lawsuits was originally filed by Dennoriss Richardson against former Sheffield police officers Ricky Terry, Max Dotson, and three others, accusing them of physical abuse. Since the death of Mr. Richardson, the plaintiff is listed as his wife Leigh Richardson.

On November 23rd, there will be a march at 2:00 p.m. for "Justice, answers, and truth" about Richardson's hanging death. Participants will march from the Sheffield City Hall to the Colbert County Courthouse. We wish them safety and success. Readers are invited to send in their accounts of the event.