NJ Spotlight News
Protesters lay out demands after Fort Lee police shooting
Clip: 9/6/2024 | 4m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Concerns about erosion of trust in police raised at city council meeting
Protesters carried signs calling for justice for Victoria Lee at a rally in Fort Lee on Thursday. Lee, a 25-year-old Korean American woman, was shot and killed by Fort Lee police on July 28, after her parents called 911 when she was experiencing a mental health crisis. Advocacy groups have demanded that Fort Lee clarify its emergency medical response rules.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
Protesters lay out demands after Fort Lee police shooting
Clip: 9/6/2024 | 4m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Protesters carried signs calling for justice for Victoria Lee at a rally in Fort Lee on Thursday. Lee, a 25-year-old Korean American woman, was shot and killed by Fort Lee police on July 28, after her parents called 911 when she was experiencing a mental health crisis. Advocacy groups have demanded that Fort Lee clarify its emergency medical response rules.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipMany of those same organizers and community members attended a rally in Fort Lee Thursday night, hoping to keep attention on Victoria Lee's death and continue their demands that the officers involved be held accountable.
Vowing to keep the pressure on until justice is served.
Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has the story.
Gloria 040A crowd of protesters carried signs calling for justice for Victoria Lee.
The 25 year old Korean American woman shot and killed by Fort Lee police July 28th, after her parents called 911 for an ambulance to help her during a mental health crisis.
Open the door, doors go up and we're going to break the door.
Drop the knife.
The.
When we call 911, our lives shouldn't be on the line.
Advocacy groups in a letter have demanded that Fort Lee clarify its emergency medical response rules.
Explain how officers should treat family members after a police shooting.
Reveal how many cops have completed the state, ordered de-escalation training and most critically, put the officers involved in Victoria Lee's death off of active duty, especially Officer Tony Pickens Jr. Who pulled the trigger?
Our community needs assurance that those involved in this tragedy will not respond to 911 calls while the investigation is ongoing.
The tragic death of Victoria Lee has shattered the community's trust in the Fort Lee authorities, and it is time for Fort Lee authorities to be held accountable, rebuild trust and prioritize the safety of all residents.
Victoria's grief stricken father spoke briefly.
It was just comes down a little bit and then he's expressed deep anguish, demanded accountability and apologies from Fort Lee officials.
So did the crowd at a city council meeting last night.
Speakers voiced concerns in the Korean Asian community, and the concerns have led to really the erosion in public trust, right?
I've heard several from several folks, especially those who speak limited English, who are older, that they're now afraid and hesitant to call 911 or seek any service or assistance from, our government.
I'm responsible for public confidence and public trust.
That's my job.
That's my paramount responsibility, and I assume the responsibility for that 100%.
Mayor Mark Sokolich told the audience he'd met with community leaders earlier that day and planned more meetings.
He said the shooting itself remains under investigation by the office of the Attorney General.
As for suspending Officer Pickens, Sokolich explained he's off the street.
You were told by the chief himself that, he is not an active troll.
I believe was the phrase and, we can't take a step to do what you asked, which was administratively, to suspend.
We wouldn't do that.
Not that I would do that.
And that resulted from the mayor bristled at suggestions he needed to apologize to Lee's family and the community.
We want to see your full apology.
We also, first of all, first, why don't we all who are go to.
I issued a three page press release two, three weeks ago that expressed my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Lee's family and to all the families that were involved.
Sokolich did promise to provide videos to inform residents of 911 response protocols.
He'll establish a committee to improve relations between the Asian community and police, and will try to expedite Fort Lee's enrollment in the state's Arrived Together Mental Health Response program.
We are going to be standing here and we are going to be working with other communities who have had to travel down this road too many times to make sure we're changing things, not just in Fort Lee, but across the state.
Justice for Victoria.
Justice.
The Fort Lee Police Department had no comment.
I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.
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