A civil rights rally planned to coincide with this weekend’s NAACP conference in Salem will involve a recent Eugene criminal case, a representative of the organization said.
Sterling Alexander, the legal redress advocate for the Salem-Keizer office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the recent Darrell Sky Walker case highlights racial inequality in Oregon.
“I’ve seen a lot of things in how Oregon treats people of color,” Alexander said of the case.
Walker, who is black, was convicted of manslaughter for throwing a punch that lead to the death of University student Phillip Gillins, who was white, in June 2005. Although testimony from witnesses who said another man claimed to have thrown the punch that led to Gillins’ death, Walker was convicted in April 2006 and sentenced to six years in prison. A judge denied his request for a new trial.
Alexander said he feels there is enough evidence that if Walker were given a new trial, he “would be vindicated.”
After investigating the case, the NAACP decided to use this weekend’s conference to bring attention to the case through a civil rights march on Saturday. The march will begin in Salem’s Riverfront Park and end at the Capitol, he said.
“It’s a way to bring people together because there’s a lot of injustice in the criminal justice system,” he said.
Alexander said the NAACP is hoping for a large turnout at Saturday’s rally, which was publicized in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
Marchers will meet at the Riverfront Park amphitheater at noon and will march to the Capitol where they will listen to presentations from guest speakers. The event is scheduled to last until 3 p.m.
– Jobetta Hedelman
NAACP to discuss Eugene criminal case during rally Saturday
Daily Emerald
September 28, 2006
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