LYNN — Hundreds of people gathered on the Lynn Common Friday evening for a protest centered around the arrests of three black men by the Lynn Police last week.
Speakers, including the alleged victims and community activists, called for what they consider to be unlawful charges to be dropped.
Following the speaking portion of the event, which involved several chants, such as “Enough is Enough,” and “No Justice, No Peace,” protesters marched to the Lynn Police Station, where the demonstration ended.
Alexandros Armand, Scott Reed, and Victor White claim they were “unlawfully arrested, assaulted and falsely charged” by Lynn Police officers, who were sent to investigate a noise complaint at White’s home on Brightwood Terrace Monday, June 15.
Armand, 26, and White, 32, work for Tufts Dining Services and are members of Unite Here Local 26, the labor union that organized the protest. The third man, Reed, 55, is White’s neighbor.
Following the incident and posts on social media, the Lynn Police Department said they launched an internal investigation and that one police officer had voluntarily resigned after the investigation began.
But one of the event’s speakers, Darrell Murkison, who was representing the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO), said that was not enough. The officer, who he alleged was “accused of abusing these men” should have been fired, he said.
“He was not fired,” said Murkison. “We want some action. We want (Police Chief Michael Mageary) to make a public statement that this officer was unfit and we will not tolerate this.”
Rev. Dr. Andre Bennett, pastor of Zion Baptist Church, who was also representing ECCO, called on Mayor Thomas M. McGee and Mageary to “answer to us,” referring to the people gathered in downtown Lynn for the protest, emphasizing that both work for the people.
Bennett issued a warning to McGee and Mageary, telling them both that they were coming for their jobs if they didn’t listen to the will of the people.
The remarks reflected another theme of the protest, which was centered around effecting change by getting people out to vote. During the event, people were walking around with forms and asking people if they wanted to register to vote.
“We are going to tell the mayor, we put you there and we will remove you if you do not do what we ask (of) you,” Bennett said, who noted they were also telling the police chief not to get too comfortable.
Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer, which Bennett considers to be a “tipping point,” he said Lynn Police called ECCO to ask what they could do to help.
Lynn Police officers marched and kneeled with them during protests, but “less than one week later, they are abusing us,” said Bennett.
“Thank you for the phone call to let us know the police officer resigned, but that is not enough,” said Bennett. “You keep your little white-washed, half-assed apology. I want the charges dropped.”
Armand said he had gone over to his co-worker, White’s, house to cook on June 15 when he was the victim of “police brutality, discrimination and social injustice.”
He said police used excessive force both during the arrest and while they were in their cells. In addition, he claims officers used derogatory names and made racist remarks that night.
“I never felt so afraid and alone in my life,” said Armand. “What happened that night was wrong. My civil rights were violated. These charges need to be dropped and the police department needs to be held accountable.”
Armand, of Malden, was charged with drinking in public, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Reed, of Lynn, was charged with violation of the city knife ordinance and drinking in public.
White, also a Lynn resident, was charged with violation of the open container law, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery on a police officer.
A Lynn Police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Friday’s protest.
According to a statement released by the Lynn Police Department on Thursday, one of the men remained uncooperative during the booking process, which resulted in a use of force in the cellblock.
A department spokesman declined to name the officer who resigned, citing an ongoing investigation. When completed, the matter will be turned over to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.