The News-Gazette.com: Teens march, call for change after boy's death

Teens march, call for change after boy's death

By Tim Mitchell

Friday, October 23, 2009 7:15 AM CDT

CHAMPAIGN – Terriona Richardson said she cried when she learned her boyfriend, Kiwane Carrington, had been shot and killed.

"We were close, and he was special," said Richardson, 15, "I miss Kiwane and wish he was here. I want justice for him."

Richardson, 15, was one of 145 people, mostly teens, who marched in the rain Thursday afternoon from Illinois Terminal to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club in response to an Oct. 9 incident in which Mr. Carrington, 15, was fatally shot and a second teen arrested and charged with aggravated resisting arrest.

The students came from Central, Centennial, Urbana, Rantoul and other local high schools, as well as the READY School that Mr. Carrington had attended.

The teens described Mr. Carrington as a joyful boy who longed to become an astronaut and liked computers and basketball.

"Kiwane was goofy and outgoing," said his classmate, Donya Brown, 15, of Champaign. "He was great at turning negative situations around and making things positive by saying something goofy or singing a song."

Young community members call attention to the late Kiwane Carrington, at the end of their march Thursday from Illinois Terminal to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club in Champaign. By Heather Coit

Lavon Miller, 16, of Champaign said he was Mr. Carrington's best friend.

"He was a nice kid, and he didn't cause much trouble," he said. "I'm here today to support him. It's time for some change."

As the teens somberly marched past the Champaign Police Department, they chanted in unison, "No more stolen lives."

Once the marchers arrived at the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, they joined another 150 or so people for a rally in the club's gymnasium, where teens expressed their frustrations, fears, anger and other emotions in the wake of their friend's death.

"I was sad because he was gone and mad because he was shot at a young age," Brown said.

"Something like this should never happen. The police are supposed to protect us," said a classmate, Tyeonia Jake, 15, of Champaign.

"I think what happened to Kiwane was wrong," said Tyrin Griffith, 15, of Champaign. "We need justice. I think the police officer involved in the shooting should be punished for what he did."

Mr. Carrington's cousin, Venus Williams, 15, of Champaign, said it was frustrating waiting for the state police's report detailing the Oct. 9 incident.

"We need our questions answered about what really happened that day so Kiwane can truly rest in peace," Williams said.

"I didn't really know Kiwane, but the whole thing is sad," said Brittany Brookshire, 12, of Champaign.

JoAnn Grayson said the city needs to require all its police officers to live within the city limits so they can better understand the black community.

"If you don't live in Champaign, you should not be a cop in Champaign," she said.

Mr. Carrington's father, Albert Carrington III, said he was grateful for the loving support provided by those who took part in Thursday's march.

"Thank you all for supporting my son. I love you all," he said.

Aaron Ammons, co-founder of C-U Citizens for Peace and Justice, said the rally was organized in conjunction with a national day of protest against police harassment and brutality.

Similar rallies were held on Thursday in Albuquerque; Atlanta; Chicago; Cleveland, Fresno, Calif.; Greensboro, N.C.; Humboldt, Calif.; Kansas City; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Montreal; New Haven, Conn.; Newark; New York; Olympia, Wash.; Pensacola, Fla.; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Raleigh; San Antonio; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Sonoma County, Calif.; and St. Louis, according to the organizers' Web site.

The young people attending Thursday's rally at the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club developed an action plan of recommendations for the coming months.

Highlights include:

1. Encouraging Champaign police to undergo cultural awareness training.

2. Asking the city to re-examine its use of force policy.

3. Encouraging the Champaign Police Department to hire more black officers.

4. Electing more blacks to the Champaign City Council.

5. Petitioning the city council to dismiss the police officers involved.

6. Establishing a residency requirement for all Champaign police.

7. Calling for the establishment of a civilian police review board.

TIM MITCHELL