On Saturday, May 25, African American community members in Lakeland, Florida gathered together with TAARPR (Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression) to stand against the Lakeland Police Department and its brutality against local resident Antwan Glover.
In addition to bringing awareness to excessive use-of-force tactics by LPD, protestors also rallied against a decision made by the State Attorney Office (SAO 10) Brian Haas, who declined to charge the 4 officers that used excessive force against Glover, claiming that the 37 year-old man “posed a threat to officers.”
Despite the state recently dropping all charges against Glover, Tampa Bay activists and family members are still demanding that the four LPD officers who assaulted him face disciplinary measures.
According to protestors, LPD officers put crime scene tape around the Fallen Heroes Memorial Park about an hour before the rally started. In addition to demanding justice for Glover, the group honored the legacy of George Floyd, who was murdered by Minneapolis police officers on May 25, 2020 and sparked months-long protests throughout the country.
Three of the four victims of alleged brutality from LPD—Kieanna Garrett, 47 year-old Deanthony Williams and Antawn Glover— were all present and spoke to the crowd and press at last Saturday's Lakeland rally.
Phillip Lightsey, the boyfriend of Kieanna Garrett, did not show up.
