Miller calls for 'whole community' to speak at Champaign council meeting
CHAMPAIGN — The father of a Champaign teen who police say fled from and struggled with them is calling on people to speak out at Tuesday's Champaign City Council meeting over the alleged treatment of black citizens by Champaign police officers.
"This is a community issue," said Martel Miller. "A part of the community (doesn't) get policed like the rest. I want the whole community to come out and talk about what we expect our leaders to do about healing our community."
Miller said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that his son was terrified of police because of previous incidents of police violence against black men in Champaign. His son, Calvin Miller, 18, was arrested after leaving an apartment complex in north Champaign early Monday morning. He was charged Monday with resisting arrest and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors. He did not appear at the press conference Thursday, which was organized by CU Citizens for Peace and Justice.
State's Attorney Julia Rietz said on Wednesday that the younger Miller told police that his father told him he was not required to stop for police and that he should call him if he was ever pursued.
Martel Miller denied telling his son to run from police.
"I never told my son to run from the police. I have told him to call me if he gets stopped. I tell the kids to listen to the police, and whatever they command you to do, that's what you do."
Martel Miller also said that his son never resisted or reached for police.
"He ran, but when they told him to stop, he felt that he was going to be shot. He put his hands up. He was knocked to the ground. He was beaten with a baton and then he was turned over, pepper-sprayed in the eye and punched while he was in handcuffs," Martel Miller.
According to Rietz, Officer Matt Rush tackled Calvin Miller in a yard on Brookwood Drive and that while Rush and Officer Jon Lieb were trying to get control of Miller, Miller grabbed Rush's duty belt. Rush said he was unable to get to his pepper spray, so he hit Miller once in the face, and Lieb sprayed him with pepper spray.
Martel Miller alleged that police hit his son four times in the face, head and ankle and that his son was pepper sprayed and beaten with a baton.
Martel Miller released a medical report from Provena Covenant Medical Center that indicated his son suffered from a closed head injury, scalp abrasion, an ankle sprain and hand contusion.
Also at the press conference, Gary M. McFarland, 30, of Champaign, said he had his jaw wired shut after an incident with Champaign police during the first week of October.
McFarland said he was knocking on the door of a home when a police officer allegedly approached him from behind and maced him, put him in handcuffs and broke his jaw.
Court records indicate that McFarland was charged on Oct. 3 with resisting a police officer and criminal trespass to property. His next court appearance has been set for Nov. 9.
Police Chief R.T. Finney could not be reached for comment.
Champaign Mayor Don Gerard said citizens will be welcome to speak during the public comment period at Tuesday's meeting.
"Community-police relations is a top priority for me," Gerard said. "I have been working with community leaders and people on the police force, the police staff, the city staff and the city council on this issue.
"If we have an extraordinary number of people who wish to speak, we will ask people to keep their comments concise. We want to hear their opinions and thoughts."
Can I come to the meeting and speak? I hope it's OK that I will not be gracious to the people complaining. I'm sick of hearing the whining and crying about some of these people being mistreated by the police. I've never been mistreated by them. Then again, I have never broken the law. I have had to call them a time to two to deal with some issues, but was treated with nothing but respect. If I could make a suggestion to these jack wagon's complaining...pull your car over if you are being pursued by the police. Stop running when they tell you to stop running. Get on the ground when they tell you to get on the ground. Don't fight them when they tell you to stop fighting. Just comply. If it's a mistake, it will get worked out later. Do you have any idea how much easier your life would be if you would just listen to what you are told then act accordingly? It's not rocket science. It's common sense.
I've got a job, and I've got kids, so I don't have the ability to spend my evening at a city council meeting. But, I want my voice heard too:
I want the police to continue enforcing the law.
This Miller guy wants to get his kid out of trouble, and he has a lot of time and energy to put into that. It doesn't make him right.
What is there to discuss? This child acted in an illegal manner. I cannot run from the police. I cannot evade arrest. I cannot ram a car into a house and then bail out of a running car, and then blame the police for my behavior by crying that I was pepper sprayed and sustained injuries. How do the African American officers on the force feel about this? Do they think this is ridiculous? Really. Are we simply telling a certain part of our population that they don't have to act in a lawful manner when being pulled over? Are we to give immunity to these people? Do a ride a-long with the police for an evening and see what they face. Clearly, we cannot let people think this is in any way lawful behavior on this youth's part.
The hypocrisy of some people is beyond shameless. If I’m in the workplace and an individual starts acting in a desperate manner and may or may not have a weapon that he could kill me with, you bet I would deal with him forcefully. I know cops have their control issues and a few are cowboy wannabes, but these people potentially take their lives into their hands when they go to work every day. For the self-righteous groups out there that criticize law enforcement at every opportunity, my prayer is that you find yourself in a situation where a desperate individual could harm or kill you and see if diffusing the situation is as easy as you seem to think it is. I wish I were so lucky to be part of a community where things are always someone else's fault.
I'd say the more people that show up, as Mr Miller has asked for, the more embarrassed he is going to be. His kid was in the wrong. Simple as that. This wouldnt even be yesterdays news had he pulled over in the first place....
You know, this might be quite the idea, and most likely pretty far fetched. I am sure the CPD is on pins and needles when it comes to dealing with these thugs. And they should be. I would be. You never know who has a gun or a knife and what thier intentions are, whether it be fleeing or doing something to make a name for themselves. I guarantee you each officer has in their mind 'the next time, it might be really bad, and I dont want to be on the wrong end of it.' Maybe the AA community outta encourage those to impress/comply/assist/put-at-ease/reassure the CPD during thier encounters for a change, and life might be a little different. Nobody is above the law and all it takes is a little cooperation from the get go, and those encounters wouldnt be an issue. Its no different from when things are a little rocky in the classroom, on the job or with a spouse. Cooperation and/or going above and beyond works wonders. But hey, what do I know.
We still haven't heard what he was doing leaving the apartment complex at 1:30am and why he sped out of the lot, jumped a curb and ran a red light. All I know is when I was growing up, if I got in trouble with the police, I wouldn't want to go home to face my dad because he wouldn't have taken my side. My dad would have asked why I sped, ran over a curb, ran a red light and fled. This guy is a joke! Give it up already!
I am so very sick of hearing them cry and claim police brutality because their son ran from police, jumped a curb, jumped out of van as it was moving to get away from police, etc. Why was he running from police? Because he was guilty, PERIOD! Why would you tell your son to run from police? Great way to raise your kids Mr.Miller(and great way to change your story), thats whats wrong with this world, the parents have no clue how to raise kids, think the world is out to get them, and then when they get caught they claim racism, police brutality, etc. Grow up, get a job, learn how to raise your kids, and quit blaming other people for your childs upbringing. You can blame only yourself for what you've taught your kids.
This is a justice system issue. Evidence will be presented, testimony will be given a jury will decide. That is the way we do things. You crowd a bunch of upset people into a room, emotions run high, voices do too and nothing constructive occurs; it's called mob rule. If you don't like it, move somewhere else in the world and try their system.
I agree with the comments here - I don't think this guy wants to hear what the whole community has to say. I think a significant percentage of the community thinks this guy should get a job (besides "community activist") and let the son learn a lesson about the outcomes of various choices. For example, if you jump out of moving vehicle, you will get injured and that's your own fault. If you don't stop the car in an appropriate manner and if you flee from police, they will chase you. If you fight with them, they will subdue you. It seems that what this child did learn from his father were some dysfunctional lessons about personal responsibility. I think it would be great if community members turned out to tell Martel what they really think.
I agree 100% with you. I'm so tired of this constant complaining against the Champaign Police department!! The "victims" in these cases have broken the law, run, struggled, and fought being arrested for their crimes and then have the nerve to say, they are mean to me. Seriously?
I am offended that anyone thinks they can use race as a basis for defense of their criminal behavior. I am offended that the City Council of Champaign entertains Enoch and his followers in these meetings. The fact that they overwhelmed the meeting and diverted attention away from real issues in this City sickens me. In the end, Enoch and Calvin will cry "foul" long and loud enough to back someone down. They will win. They will get their way. But, not if enough citizens let their voices be heard. We see some of it here in comments for this article. But, saying it to council in chambers on Tuesday is the most effective method. And, if you can't make it because your priorities are different (i.e. you work hard to pay your bills and taxes so that Enoch doesn't have to); remember you have a voice every election day. See you Tuesday night.
I wish he really meant that he wanted the WHOLE COMMUNITY to speak at this meeting. What he really wants is his thug friends without a job to come and support him and his son after his son violated the law. I agree with just about everyone that has commented, but I know what would happen if everybody showed up. The people that want to complain would push the people who support CPD out of the way because they have no respect for others.
I work nights, so I will not be able to attend. And like another poster above, I want to be heard on this issue.
Just because Miller is loud, it does not make his son innocent. He broke traffic laws, ran from the police, and then jumped out of a moving vehicle (injuring himself in the process), and rammed a house with his car. Also, based on the changing stories, it appears that he lied to the police.
We do not want our police overseen and controlled by people like Martel Miller who only wants special treatment for his son.
now this is news about time we got something to talk about.
When i was young i ran from the police they hog tied me put me in the back of the car was taken to the now gone youth detention center and left on the floor for a whole day before they came and took the cuffs off me.Ohh and we had no bathroom in our cells you had to yell for a officer to come let you go pee.
The point is i was in the wrong and i got what i deserved. . . . . . . . . . . .
no one wants the police until they want the police.
Its all about the
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
boys
Complaining on here means nothing. I'm sure that Rietz, the city council, et al are not letting anonymous posts sway their opinions, not to mention will likely never even read this. Whether anonymous or not, we all need to show up and NOT be afraid to stand up and have your voices heard. I will, fo' sho'.
How do we know that the kid wasnt injured when he jumped from a moving vehicle. That could easily sprain an ankle or add a cut to his head. I dont think its fair to assume that all of his injuries are from the police. If you jump from a moving vehicle, I would think that could cause injury.
Could it be that Calvin Miller fled when the police attempted to stop him because he was driving an uninsured vehicle? A check of the Circuit Clerk's website shows that earlier this month he was ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle - the same vehicle involved in the current incident. He was also convicted in December 2010 for operating an uninsured vehicle. Does he not have insurance because he is in fear of the insurance companies? It seems apparent that what he does have is a disdain for obeying the law.
It is also interesting that while Calvin Miller was the "victim" in this incident, he was not present at the press conference to speak for himself, to give his version of what happened. Maybe because he could be held accountable in court for what he says, while dad is free to twist the facts?
I think that the minority community using this incident as their "cause" to unite behind will only undermine and cheapen their credibility.
I think it's unfortunate that anyone who is critical of law enforcement is likely to be labeled a "thug" or someone who hates the police. I won't be able to attend the council meeting due to my own work schedule, but I do plan to express my concerns via email. Now that Finney is heading out the door, this may be a good opportunity to do some internal housekeeping.
As a white man I know what it's like to be looked at funny by the cops when I walk through the black neighborhoods late at night. I think they assume I'm only there to buy drugs. We need to stop this, people come together with Mr. Miller and lets end this profiling. White people don't always buy drugs from blacks.
You know it always turns into a race thing when stuff like this happens. You wanna know why you never hear anything from "WHITE" people? Because if a white young man would have pulled this kind of stunt their parents would tell them how absolutely stupid it was to run from the cops. I'm sorry but I would have rather had my son punch for trying to go for a gun then shot. Me as a parent would never tell my child to run from the cops, seeing as how nothing good would come from it. I understand why police have to be careful around certain areas and people because now days people like to carry guns and knives. I feel sorry for this poor boy cause he was raised to believe the worst of the police. Also if he has already been pulled over 2 times before for not having insurance and he in fact didn't have insurance again he might have been looking at being arrested and spending the night in jail. Calvin your life is not worth a night in jail and a fine. You could have killed yourself driving the way you were. If you would have killed someone else in this chase you would have never forgiven yourself. Remember that.
It's not the kid or the parent who is at fault, it's the champaign school system's fault the way they treated the elder Martel when he was a child. he has to blame somebody.
http://www.will.uiuc.edu/community/ourjourney/millertext.htm
I about got sick reading the link above. Really? Once again it's the school distict's responsibility to raise your children. Integration was a difficult time for everyone involved. Things changed for everyone...not just the African-American students. This man takes no responsibility for anything in his life. Everything is someone else's fault. Grow up and show your son how to be a real man. If Calvin has already had run-ins with the police, soon he will be in jail. But of course, that will be the police and court systems' fault.
As a convicted felon from my youth, 20+ years ago, I disarmed a peace officer during my ex wife refusing transfer of custody for visitation, broke my heart seeing my son screaming and crying to come to me and his mother willfully disobeyed the court order, I broke down and let the emotions get the best of me in turn violating an order of protection, drove away, caught on the interstate, roughed up and yes emotionally charged cops beat on me, specifically after hand cuffing my hands behind my back and shackling my ankles and attaching my ankles to my handcuffs, then when laying face down, picked me up by the hand and ankle cuffs, tilting me and dropped me head first three times into the pavement, I got more at jail but I understood their rage after a radio call went out saying "Officer Down", yes. After getting to jail, I was stripped and put into a cold no windows, no lights, cold and black, padded 8x8' cell for 5 days to cool off.
Point being, I knew I did wrong, I knew the officers were ramped up with the "Officer Down" radio call and I expected to catch some heat, I was more than willing no matter what the circumstances but I do disagree taking advantage of my being cuffed. Yes, it is wrong but there is also a fine line when life threatening situations teeter with a persons life in the balance, in this case the officer is priority one as he willfully volunteers to do his job even when the stakes are high like life and death. My point is had I stopped at any point after it had started I still would have expected some kind of retribution based on emotions alone and if you have not already guessed, I'm a white man, handled by white and black officers outside and inside jail. Get over your whining, you ran, the officers have a sworn duty to apprehend you especially when you don't stop and or they witness you committing a crime. Enough, stop crying already, you know good and well just as I do and anyone else, when you run you force those trying to stop you to use force to capture you and you should be scared as long as you keep running but also know had you obeyed, stopped, lay down that your actions would also release or deflate the emotional challenge you cause and taunt police with when you disobey and or run.
To you who posted that link, that was the 60's this is 2000's things then and now are completely different. It wasn't the school systems fault that he chose to do what he chose to do. No matter the color of a person they know what is right and what is wrong. He chose to go down the wrong path. He cannot blame schooling or anybody else for what he has done and for the morals he has installed into his son. Maybe he should be put in jail for his poor parenting skills.
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