Shelton was apprehended by store guards, who say they suspected him of shoplifting two packages of meat, then killed him as one sat on him. The protests are demanding the guards be prosecuted.

On February 18 around 80 people held a brief picket line and prayer vigil in front of the store. Close to 100 again turned out four days later, chanting, "No justice, no peace," and "You didn't have to lie, he didn't have to die." Rev. Horace Sheffield, a local spokesperson of the National Action Network, representatives of the network from New York and of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, and family members spoke at the protest.

Four members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 157 participated, carrying signs that said, "Fighting together for justice" and "Prosecute the security guards." Danny Oakes, chairman of the local's unit at Textron Automotive Corp., was the first speaker at the rally.

The crowd cheered when Sheffield announced the UAW's participation and invited Oakes to speak. "We need to show our support in more than just the union shops," Oakes said in an interview. "We need to show it in the community also."

The picket line was the first political protest for Kevin Gardner-Ushery, a 26-year-old production worker at Textron. Asked what he thought of the event, he said, "It was well organized, and we got our point across. It was important for the union to get involved."

According to Joanette Quinn, who witnessed Shelton's death, "The taller [guard] choked him, the other one put an elbow on his neck.... Then the large one grabbed him by his pants leg, and the back of his head hit the pavement. The guard rolled him over, putting his hands behind his back, and sat on him."

Another witness, Royal Oak firefighter Sylvester Foote, told reporters that he heard Shelton complaining that he couldn't breathe. The guard who sat on him was said to weigh 377 pounds.

The coroner ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxiation due to chest compression. The guards have not yet been charged. "The security guards should be prosecuted," said Gardner-Ushery at the picket line. "Anyone else would be. Murder is murder."

Shelton's death is the second this year in the Metro Detroit area of a Black worker at the hands of security guards. Last June, Frederick Finley was choked to death at a Lord & Taylor store by security guards, who stopped Finley's 11-year-old daughter for allegedly stealing a $4 bracelet.

"These [security] people don't do this to certain folks," Sheffield told the rally. "They wouldn't do this to a white male or female--even if they look like they stole 10 bags of groceries."

The killing of Finley sparked protests, including one July 5 led by Rev. Alfred Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, where 5,000 people gathered in the parking lot of Fairlane Mall where the store is located. Security guard Dennis Richardson was charged with homicide July 6, but the charges were dismissed in September by Dearborn District Judge Virginia Sobotka. Wayne County Judge Brian Sullivan reversed that decision, and ordered Richardson to stand trial. But as of this time, he has not yet signed the paperwork.

Family members of Finley participated in the protests against the killing of Shelton.

At the picket line Jennifer Shelton said she welcomed the support of those who turned out for the protests against the killing of her husband, Travis. "Nobody should have to feel this way. And I feel the same way for the Finley family," she said. "People should know: next time it could be your loved one."

The night before the picket line at Kroger, a woman was brutally assaulted by a security guard at a Rite Aid in Detroit. Gail Hardy, 47, said she went there to pick up a prescription. While waiting, she saw a pail of 99-cent nail clippers, used one, and put it on a table. As she was leaving the store, a security guard accosted her and said she had to pay for the clippers.

"She took her fists and hit me in the face twice. Then she took her stick and hit me across my shoulder, my back, my chest, and my head. When she hit me in the head, it knocked me out," Hardy said.

According to police, the guard dragged Hardy to the back of the store, handcuffed her, and called the police. Hardy received eight stitches in her head. In this case, the guard was arrested and taken to jail.

Ilona Gersh is a member of United Auto Workers Local 157, and works at Textron Automotive Corp.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home