Al Sharpton eulogizes white Arkansas teen shot by deputy – The Associated Press
BEEBE, Ark. (AP) The Rev. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyds family on Tuesday mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices.
Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy, Sgt. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.
The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists such as Sharpton, who said concerns about police tactics arent just limited to the Black community.
The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. Its about right and wrong.
Many attending the memorial wore jeans and shirts that read Justice for Hunter, in a ceremony that included Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob. Both are representing Brittains family.
Floyd died in May last year when a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin the handcuffed Black mans neck to the ground. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality.
Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. Crump led the crowd in chanting, Hunter Brittains life matters.
Because he is not here, we all have to unite together and make sure people all over America know that we will get justice for Hunter Brittain, Crump said.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. Davis is white.
Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released.
Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over.
Staley on Monday said he welcomed those who want to peacefully protest, but that out-of-state activists could risk inflaming an already difficult situation.
The people of this county are good, decent people and they, like me, want to see accountability and transparency in this situation, Staley wrote on the offices Facebook page.
The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices.
Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said.
Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job.
Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. And also justice for all of our other brothers and sisters dying at the hands of law enforcement hired to protect and serve us around this country.
As mourners filed into the high school auditorium Tuesday morning, photos and video of Brittain were displayed on a large screen above his casket, which was decorated with blue and white ribbons, the Chevrolet symbol and Forever Chevy 17. Family members said Brittain dreamed of becoming a NASCAR driver after graduation.
Hunter did nothing wrong, just like we felt George Floyd did nothing wrong, Sharpton told reporters before the memorial. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.
It was unclear what impact Sharptons and the attorneys calls for action would have in Lonoke County, a rural county of 73,000 people that is 90% white.
Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins.
I never thought anything like this would happen until it hit so close to home, said Scott Hendrickson, whose son was close friends with Brittain and who is . Once it happened to my sons best friend, I said it could happen to my son so it was too close to home to not do anything about it.
Dozens of people gathered outside the sheriffs office after the memorial service for a rally with Brittains family, attorneys and the NAACP
Melissia McMahan, who is the Brittain familys mail carrier and knew the teen since he was a toddler, said she had thought about the need for police reform before Brittains death but hadnt thought it was something her own community would face.
I never expected anything like what happened, especially not just a country boy working on his truck and taking it for a test drive, she said.
View post:
Al Sharpton eulogizes white Arkansas teen shot by deputy - The Associated Press
- Readers sound off on religious leadership, cyclist advocacy and Al Sharpton - New York Daily News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- He gave us a sense of pride: Rev Al Sharpton on Malcolm Xs 100th birthday - The Guardian - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Exclusive | Wendy Williams called Rev. Al Sharpton to pray amid guardianship battle - Page Six - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton Prays With Wendy Williams During Visit, Vows To Help Her - lovebscott - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton Prays With Wendy Williams During Visit, Vows To Help Her - TMZ - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Op-Ed: Target CEO Meets With Al Sharpton To Discuss DEI Rollback, But Should He Still Be Speaking For Us? - AfroTech - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton Meets with Target CEO Over Black Community Boycott - iHeart - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target CEO constructive, says Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant was in the meeting - TheGrio - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Target CEO meets with Al Sharpton amid backlash over DEI rollbacks. - EBONY Magazine - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton holds constructive and candid meeting with Target CEO over DEI initiatives - New York Post - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Target CEO Cornell meets with Sharpton to discuss DEI rollback as civil rights leader considers boycott - CNBC - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton meets Target CEO amid boycott over dropping DEI - The Black Wall Street Times - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- PepsiCo agrees to meet with Al Sharpton over DEI cuts, potential boycott - AP News - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Target CEO to meet with Rev. Al Sharpton to discuss the company's rollback of DEI initiatives - TheGrio - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid' - Norwalk Hour - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- PepsiCo to meet with Al Sharpton over proposed boycott due to DEI rollbacks - AL.com - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Target execs run to meet with Al Sharpton after woke groups threaten boycott over DEI rollback - New York Post - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- PepsiCo Meets With Reverend Al Sharpton After Threat Of Boycott Over DEI Rollbacks - AfroTech - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Target Calls Meeting With Rev. Al Sharpton To Discuss DEI Rollback - Chicago Defender - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid' - The Washington Post - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton holds constructive and candid meeting with Target CEO over DEI initiatives - FOX 8 TV - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton To Meet With CEOs Of Target And PepsiCo Over DEI Rollbacks - Bossip - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- PepsiCo agrees to meet with Al Sharpton over DEI cuts, potential boycott - MSN - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid' - Waco Tribune-Herald - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid' - Stamford Advocate - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Time to ask Al Sharpton: Why should DEI exist in the first place? - New York Post - April 14th, 2025 [April 14th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott - AP News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- MSNBC host Al Sharpton calls for boycott of PepsiCo as he gives them three weeks to make huge change - Daily Mail - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott - Messenger-Inquirer - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott - livingstonenterprise.net - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott - Bozeman Daily Chronicle - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton Calls Out PepsiCo Over Diversity Changes, Threatens To Boycott - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to Honor Roberta Flack with Heartfelt Eulogy at Celebration of Life in Harlem on Monday - eurweb.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to deliver Eulogy at Roberta Flacks Celebration of Life in Harlem - The Chicago Cusader - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Rev. AL Sharpton to deliver eulogy for Roberta Flack at Celebration of Life - The Times Weekly - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- EXCLUSIVE: Rev. Al Sharpton on Trumps Agenda, DEI rollbacks, and the fight for democracy - New Pittsburgh Courier - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- EXCLUSIVE: Rev. Al Sharpton on Trumps Agenda, DEI Rollbacks, and the Fight for Democracy - Chicago Defender - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Kathy Hochul bashes Elon Musk but then taps Al Sharpton for advice - New York Post - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton Speaks to Media - Citizen - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton: It means everything for Donald Trump to have leverage over New York City mayor - MSNBC - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton: It means everything for Donald Trump to have leverage over New York City mayor - Yahoo - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Crossed the Rubicon: Rev. Al Sharpton suggests he may pull support for Mayor Adams after Trump DOJ moves to drop charges - amNY - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton and Attorney Ben Crump honor the lives lost in the Eaton Fire at memorial service - The Philadelphia Tribune - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton: Harris has consistently committed to making government work' for disadvantaged - NBC Washington - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton Issues Warning to Companies Ending DEI - MSN - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton and Attorney Ben Crump Honor the Lives Lost in the Eaton Fire at Memorial Service - Black Voice News - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Dont Miss This Live Chat with Rev. Al Sharpton: Students Take the Stage - Bober Tea - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton visits Altadena and leads memorial for Eaton Fire victims - CBS News - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to hold service for wildfire victims at Pasadena church - Los Angeles Times - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton/NAN, Ben Crump to Lead Memorial Service for Wildfire Victims in Southern California - eurweb.com - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to hold service for wildfire victims at Pasadena church - Sunbury Daily Item - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to hold memorial for L.A. wildfire victims in Pasadena - 2UrbanGirls - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- PRESS ROOM: Rev. Al Sharpton and NAN announce major MLK Day mobilization to defend Dr. Kings legacy as second Trump term nears - Afro American... - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Al Sharpton pocketed nearly $1 million in bonuses from his National Action Network nonprofit - New York Post - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Endorsement Of Vigilantism: Rev. Al Sharpton Rips JD Vance Inviting Daniel Penny To Army-Navy Game - NewsOne - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Al Sharpton floats Biden pardon for Dothan half-brother, pastor convicted of fraud, tax evasion - 1819 News - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Black church coalition calls on MSNBC to suspend Al Sharpton over donations from Harris campaign - Fox News - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Church turns on MSNBC host Al Sharpton over $500,000 in payments from Harris campaign - The Telegraph - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton Faces Scrutiny Over Pay-to-Play Harris Controversy - eurweb.com - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton to speak at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church anniversary - WSFA - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Al Sharpton's acceptance of Kamala Harris campaign's $500K donation a 'bridge too far' for MSNBC colleagues - New York Post - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Al Sharpton continuing to host MSNBC show, make regular appearances after Harris campaign payment revealed - Fox News - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton, Mayor Adams hosts Thanksgiving dinner for families at National Action Network - ABC7 New York - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Conflict of interest? Harris' campaign donated $500,000 to Al Sharpton before her MSNBC interview - Voz Media - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- MSNBC Says It Was 'Unaware' of Harris Campaign Contributions to Al Sharpton NonprofitBut Won't Say Whether It's Taking Action - Washington Free Beacon - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- MSNBC 'unaware' Harris campaign donated $500K to Al Sharpton nonprofit before friendly interview - Washington Examiner - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- MSNBC makes eye-opening admission about the $500,000 Kamala Harris gave to host Al Sharpton's non-profit - Daily Mail - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- MSNBC reacts to claims Kamala Harris paid $500K to Al Sharpton nonprofit before interview - Raw Story - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- MSNBC reacts to claims Kamala Harris paid $500K to Al Sharpton nonprofit before interview - MSN - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Al Sharpton reveals Trump cold called him after election win - MSN - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- We can lose a round, but the fight aint over, Rev. Al Sharpton vows after Trump win - New York Daily News - November 10th, 2024 [November 10th, 2024]
- We can lose a round, but the fight aint over, Rev. Al Sharpton vows after Trump win - NNY360 - November 10th, 2024 [November 10th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton celebrating 70th birthday with star-studded event - Spectrum News 1 - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton will give keynote address Friday for Anne Arundel NAACP annual event - Capital Gazette - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Al Sharpton and Donny Deutsch worry theyll be imprisoned if Trump is re-elected, but on enemy list - New York Post - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Rev. Al Sharpton stops in Flint on 'Wheels of Justice Freedom' tour - WJRT - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Go With the Flo: Rev. Al Sharpton turns 70, Sean Diddy Combs' children stand by their dad, Sherri Shepherd receives Vanguard Award - Amsterdam News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Overnight Cable News Ratings for Oct. 18-21: Kamala Harris Interview Lifts Al Sharpton to Second Place on Sunday - Adweek - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]
- Al Sharpton sets Kamala up to whine about Trump for calling her the S-Word - AllSides - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]