Council President William Parker to honor Jacob Blake and victims of racial injustice on Tuesday

Following yet another incident of an unarmed black man being shot and critically injured by law enforcement, this time in Kenosha, Wisconsin, President William Parker and the Birmingham City Council will be honoring victims of racial injustice on Tuesday.

These efforts will be to raise awareness for such instances and to send the message that Birmingham will continue to lead the way in the ongoing march for justice.

On August 23, Jacob Blake shot seven times in the back after he was attempting to deescalate an altercation between two individuals. He is now in critical condition and reports indicate he is paralyzed from the waist down.

Council President William Parker said Birmingham has an obligation to send a strong and clear message that this type of tragedy, one that disproportionately happens to black citizens, must stop.

“It’s gut wrenching to see another unarmed black man shot by the police, especially knowing that he was the one trying to settle the situation that had caused the police to be called in the first place,” President Parker said. “As city leaders in Birmingham, Alabama, it is incumbent upon us to be one of the lead voices condemning this behavior. Enough is enough.”

President Parker said the Council will be honoring Mr. Blake and other victims of racial injustice at Tuesday’s meeting. More information will be released as it becomes available.