The photos of six African American victims were found hanging by nooses from a tree in a park in Milwaukee.
What We Know:
- Over the weekend, members of the Original Black Panthers took down photos of six African American victims found hanging from a tree in Milwaukee’s Riverside Park.
- The photos were of Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Botham Jean, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. The pictures of each of the victims were laminated, hung with a noose, and included the story of how they were killed. Four out of the six were victims of police brutality.
- King Rick, who is part of the Original Black Panther’s of Milwaukee, posted the videos and pictures over the weekend, calling the photos an act of racism.
- “Historically, African Americans have been hung and lynched,” Rick said. “It was disrespectful not only to the memories of these individuals, our beloved individuals, but also the African American community, so I’m not hearing it.”
- In the past few weeks, several black bodies have been found hanging from trees leaving residents to wonder if the deaths are related to heightened racial tensions in the U.S.
- On June 17th, the body of a teenager was found hanging in a Texas school’s playground. Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found on May 28th hanging from a tree in Victorville, California. Then on June 12th, Robert Fuller, 24, was found hanging near Palmdale City Hall in California.
- Harsch’s family released a statement that his death appears to be a suicide, according to the Associated Press. Police allege all of the deaths in recent weeks are suicides and not related to acts of racist terrorism.
Authorities do not know who hung the pictures of the victims at Milwaukee’s Riverside Park and have not mentioned whether they will open a formal investigation.
