Some 70 people gathered at the courthouse November 5 to express their anger and indignation at the court's decision. Ako Abdul-Samad, a leader of the Citizens for Justice, called the verdict an outrage. Cory Williams, a friend of Lovelady, remarked that "this shows that the life of a Black man is not worth anything in Des Moines."

From the beginning the so-called justice system worked in a way that led to this outcome. No one was charged until a grand jury recommended April 14 that the two security cops face the involuntary manslaughter charge, classified as an "aggravated misdemeanor." Many in the community mobilized almost immediately after the killing to demand justice. A march of 250 was organized in March and a vigil was held at the Polk County courthouse every Sunday evening up until the night before the trial.

Many people--both Black and white--thought the decision of the jury was unfair. This was reflected in discussions on radio talk shows and in the Des Moines Register, which printed letters, an editorial, and several guest columns on its editorial page in the days after the trial's conclusion. One meat packer explained that if it had been two Blacks murdering a white man, they would have been in jail the first night and then charged with first degree murder.

The case revealed the racist nature of the clubs here, whose dress codes excluded the wearing of designer labels popular among young Blacks. One member of the Citizens for Justice explained that he had witnessed security guards at another local night club denying admission to a young Latino who used his Mexican passport for identification. The cop told him, "It may be good enough to get you into this country, but it isn't good enough to get you into this club."

A civil lawsuit against the security guards and the club's owners has been filed.  
 
 
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