In January of this year, police approached NBA basketball star Sterling Brown who was parked illegally outside of a drug store.
But, somehow a simple encounter over a possible parking violation escalated out of control and ended with the Bucks player tased, mocked and defamed by Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). Video released by the police department drastically contradicts the officers' original account. According to officers, Brown had become confrontational. But anyone who bothered to watched the actual footage can see that police were the ones that escalated the situation within a matter of seconds.
The confronting officer calls for backup almost instantly, as if Sterling was an armed robber on the loose, and when they arrive they all gather around him. When he doesn't immediately respond to a request, they throw him to the ground and tase him.
You can hear Brown groan in pain. Later the cops mock him and imply that he deserved the harsh treatment for being an a**.Now that the video is out, MPD Chief Alfonso Morales has been forced to apologize for the incident. According to Chief Morales, the officers have been disciplined.
Once again, men in power with the ability to take the life at the pull of a trigger are given simple slaps on the wrists for their disgusting behavior. What the officers of the MPD did to Mr. Sterling put his life in danger and his career at risk, and yet they are allowed to continue to walk the streets of Milwaukee and harass more black and brown citizens.
"Disciplined" is not enough. These officers should be fired. Sign the petition and demand justice for Sterling Brown and accountability for MPD. Tell Chief Alfonso Morales to fire the officers responsible for abusing Mr. Brown.