Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 June 2001 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JUNE 29,2001

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Lawyer says federal probe of police could be done within months * CINCINNATI (AP) — A fed- and the chief of police are willing City officials on Tuesday tried eral investigation of whether Cin- to discuss them," said Martin, a to cast the federal presence in if cinnati police use excessive force former Justice Department lawyer, positive light. The city issued ir against citizens could be completed Cincinnati suffered three nights news release titled, “City of Cinwithin months, says a lawyer rep- of rioting in April after a white cinnati welcomes DOJ officials.” resenting the city. police officer shot and killed an Martin, now a private practice WilliamR.Martinsaidthisweek unarmed Black man. lawyer in Washington, represented he doesn’t think investigators will Within weeks, U.S. Attorney the mother of Monica Lewinsky, find enough evidence of excessive General John Ashcroft announced the White House intern who beforce. * his agency would investigate Cin- came personally involved with Martin commented after Depart- cinnati police. Mayor Charles President Clinton, ment of Justice officials had their Luken originally had invited the Cincinnati will pay Martin $225 first official interviews with the Justice Department to Cincinnati, an hour. His associates will be paid city manager, safety director, po- Federal investigators have de- $165 an hour, lice chief and other ranking mem- manded city officials provide them The City Council last week was bers of the police division. ' with thousands of documents in- to vote on setting aside $195,000 The government may have dif- volving police training, account- for Martin to represent the city inferences of opinion with city offi- ability and reports of police use of the investigation and a lawsuit that' cials over police policies and pro- force since 1995. accuses Cincinnati police of tar-. cedures, Martin said. Martin said similar investiga- geting Blacks in traffic stops. “If suggestions are made, the tions in other cities have taken city manager, the safety director years.

MONUMENT

Continued from A1 her name, it is a memorial for abused instrumental in bringing the event Kirby (here in Indiana) who drove children across the country. together. the wrong way down a highway On hand for the dedication were Anxiously awaiting the unveil- killing four of her children and numerous distinguished guests, in- ing of the monument were Likens' three other persons. “We not only eluding mistress of ceremonies sister and brother-in-law Dianna dedicated this memorial to the chilDiane Willis, WRTV 6; IPD Chief and Paul Knutson, and sister Jenny, dren of abuse, but to all victims of Jerry Barker; Darryl Pierce, IPD who sat proud, but emotional, dur- abuse,” he commented. East District deputy chief; Robert ing the ceremony. Chief Barker said: “I waSTumer, public safety director; Jo- "Today we want her (Likens), shocked by the revelations that seph Wynns, directoroflndianapo- life to mean something,” said a came forth after Sylvia’s death. I lis Parks; Marion County Sheriff choked-up Willis, noting that more used to walk past the house where Jack Cottey, and Marion County than 400 children in Indiana and she was murdered. I will never Prosecutor Scott Newman. 1,400 children across the country forget what she went through, or Of course the event would not have already died in abusive situa- what any child of abuse may go have been possible if not for Black tions. Willis was awarded a plague through.” actor and filmmaker Ivan Rogers, by IPD East District for her efforts Wynns said he was asked: "Whywho so graciously purchased the on behalf of abused children and a memorial? And I asked, why not? monument. “It’s my hope and be- for the Likens’ ceremony. This is a signature piece for the lief that in donating this monument “Working in child abuse was turnaround of this park.” Willard • it will serve as a reminder that one of the most learning experi- Park over the next 10 years will children are precious, they are love, ences I’ve had since being on the boast a new walking path, soccer and they are our future,” he noted, force,” said Pierce. “And I remem- field, and baseball diamond. “We Rogers said that he at first wanted bertheLikens' case happened when want all of our parks to be beautito donate money to IPD for its I was a sophomore in high school, ful.” noted Wynns. “Not just Eagle support during the making of his In a case like this one you can’t Creek (and others like it), because movies in the city. The department help but feel anger, and as a parent we care about them all.” provided traffic control, making the you would never want your child The Shepherd Community Cen-. streets safe for the projects, and treated this way. A single mom, ter will be responsible for the upseveral officers had roles in the but one who disciplined us with keep of the monument, films. However, upon hearing the love, not anger, raised me,” Pierce Mrs. Knutson, who bravely re-. request for the Likens’ monument, said. citedaself-composedpoemtoLik-Rogers was very receptive, because “The dedication of this memo- ens, thanked everyone for the he knew of the incident. “I was rial today is community policing, monument in her sister’s name, very interested in the cause they We are very privileged to be here "Because of this, her memory will were interested in,” Rogers contin- today,” he said. live on forever, and maybe this will ued. “This is what I had to do.” Turner pointed out other cases help some other child,” she added. Rogers is the cousin of IPD Lt. of abuse: the five children drowned William Benjamin, who also was in Texas by their mother, and Judy

MARSHAL DRAGSTERS

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the new marshal takes office, he admits that Anderson's departure is approaching. “It is obvious that there is going to be preference of people who have the same beliefs, quite often people from the same party,” added Fisher, noting that the president makes the final decision. Letters, telephone calls and complaints immediately followed the decision to not reappoint Anderson, a Democrat. He was first appointed to serve as marshal in the Jimmy Carter administration in 1987, and returned in 1994 with Bill Clinton’s team. Since 1995, his office has arrested at least 2,000 offenders without using excessive force. “If you’re dealing with situations that are explosive, time doesn’t matter,” he said. The executions earlier this month of Timothy McVeigh and Juan Raul Garza caused public outcry over the death penalty, but Anderson still performed his duties as marshal. “I could not be selective with the laws that I enforce. I had to be focused,” he recalled. “If everything goes right, then I’ve done my job.” Many people are trying to save his job, and refuse to give up hope. “I think it’s a slap in the face,” said Anna Davenport, acknowledging how Anderson’s job hangs in the balance. “How can you get an award like (the Lifetime Achievement Award) and in the same year be told that you're not qualified?” After learning about Anderson’s impending dismissal, Davenport, the purchasing agent for the Property Management Office at the Federal Courthouse, wrote a letter to Sen. Lugar to protest the dismissal. Lugar’s chief of staff, Martin Morris, outlined the marshal appointment process in his response letter. This prompted Davenport to contact U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft’s office and further recommend Anderson for the position. “(Anderson has) done too much for the office. It seems ridiculous that they have to take him out,” said Davenport. It could be months before a decision is made. For now, Anderson sits in his office, unsure about his job. The gold U.S. marshal pin on his lapel remains in place. Looking down at it, a smile appears on his face. “After all that I’ve been through, I’d hate to think that I’ve done it in vain,” admitted Anderson. “I intend on being the U.S. marshal until I’m relieved of my job. My life has to go on.”

nessed something they thought about bringing to Indianapolis to reach out to the Black community. “We want to show to Black youngsters that this is another sport you can make a living off of, as a job, or a hobby,” expressed Wardlow. This event, this weekend, is projected to have close to a thousand people from all across the United States, with 200 motorcycles and 500 cars participating. Another main priority for the event is to seek sponsors for other events like this and for the drivers who race, in particular circuits and events, around the country. There will be testing and tuning on Friday, and the racing will be, on Saturday and Sunday, along with major fun out at the track. The track opens, Friday, at 2:00 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m: _ The track, on Saturday and Sunday, opens at T a.m. where time trials begin at 8 Am. and races beginning at noon. For more information, contact Willie at (317) 357-2927 or visit' www.mrtspreformance.com. NFL football player. Troy Vincent, Wide Receiver, for the Philadelphia Eagles, is an owner for Pro Stock driver Antron Brown, whois the top points scorer, in the NHRA Pro Stock circuit. The event will feature a special class for kids called junior dragsters as well as the regular dragsters. Along with Willie. Carl Drummer, India-i napolis Center Township Trustee, and friend; comes in, on free time, to work, on some of the cars with Willie. His interest with cars goes long back before this event came to life. “I grew up in the projects, but my parents made sure we had the best they could afford, so we were the only ones in the neighborhood with mopeds,” says Drummer. “Plus what got me interested too was since my father was a racer, my old man had a different Thunderbird. It was just a family affair.” With the 1st annual Indy Soul Nationals, the youth in urban areas, and all over, can get a taste of something that is a little different and very unique to the Black community. Along with aspirations of being doctors, becoming the President, or playing in the NBA, this could be another venture that, hopefully, the Indy Soul Nationals could help the youth look into. “We would like for the youth to come, because we think they're lives will never be the • same, in a positive manner,” says Drummer. ,