Greater LA
Gang interventionist pushes for transformation of policing
Activists are calling for systematic changes in policing, as protests continue nationwide over the police killing of George Floyd.
By Steve Chiotakis • • 24m ListenActivists are calling for systematic changes in policing, as protests continue nationwide over the police killing of George Floyd. Gang interventionist Skipp Townsend says the recent protests and looting are a way for African American communities to express deep feelings of pain and burden.
“It is probably the worst thing in the world to be African American and know that we are the less numbers, we are less likely to succeed. We are more likely to be shot,” he says.
Because of this fear, Townsend says the current law enforcement system in America needs to be dismantled.
In this episode
3 storiesPastors in Watts call for peace amid protests
Community leaders in the Watts area of South LA say that despite their anger over the police killing of George Floyd, they are worried that disruptive demonstrations may come to their neighborhood.
Read the story5 minGang interventionist wants police system dismantled amid George Floyd protests
Skipp Townsend works to resolve conflicts with local gang members. He says the recent protests and looting are a way for African Americans to express deep feelings of pain and burden.
Read the story12 minUS isn’t aware of what’s happening to African Americans at hands of police, says pastor
Pastor Welton Pleasant II says, “America has not learned its lesson, has not dealt with its original sin, which is the sin of racism.”
Read the story8 min
