Walter Wallace: the death of a black man in Philadelphia becomes a political problem

Black Walter Wallace’s death in Philadelphia becomes a political issue

After the death of an African American by police bullets, there were riots for the second night in a row in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Initially, hundreds of people demonstrated peacefully against racism and police violence, local media reported Wednesday night. Subsequently, the officials were attacked with stones and bottles, and the police used irritant gas and batons. Looting has also been reported. The case is also coming into focus because Pennsylvania is one of the swing states, those contested states that could be decisive in next week’s presidential election.

The protests were sparked by the death of Walter Wallace, 27, during a police raid on Monday. The man was armed with a knife and did not drop it despite repeated requests, police said. He went to the police, after which two officers shot him several times. Passersby filmed the incident with their smartphones. According to the police, 30 officers were injured and 91 people were arrested during the protests on Monday.

“The riots in Philadelphia are the latest aftermath of the Liberal Democrats’ war on the police,” said a White House statement. All incidents of deadly violence must be thoroughly investigated. But one could never allow “the mob to rule.” The administration of President Donald Trump is on the side of law enforcement authorities and is also ready to mobilize federal forces on demand to stop the unrest.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, who, like Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, belongs to the Democrats, has already mobilized several hundred members of the state’s National Guard, according to “The Philadelphia Inquirer” newspaper.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, but also condemned the riots:

Attacks on police officers and the destruction of small businesses would not bring justice.

In the 2016 election, Trump only narrowly prevailed in Pennsylvania. As an undecided state, the Northeastern US state cannot be clearly assigned to either Republicans or Democrats. The polls currently give Biden a good shot at securing the 20th electorate there, but it could be tough.

Relatives of the murdered 27-year-old man accuse the police of disproportionate violence. Wallace was known to have mental health problems, the family’s attorney, Shaka Johnson, said, according to media reports. Wallace suffered from bipolar disorder. Consequently, the family had dialed the emergency number to request an ambulance. Instead, the police came. “Why didn’t they use a Taser (stun gun)? Why did they have to shoot him? Wallace’s father asked at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Not all officers are equipped with a Taser, said Police Chief Danielle Outlaw, according to ABC. Additional funds have been requested for this. She promised a complete clarification of the case. The prosecution is also investigating. Both officers were carrying body cameras. However, the images were not initially made public. According to media reports, the two policemen are said to have fired seven shots each. The two were transferred to the office during the investigation.

Mayor Kenney had said of the incident:

In the United States, there have been nationwide protests against racism and police violence since late May. The trigger was the brutal murder of unarmed African-American George Floyd during a police operation in the city of Minneapolis. During the arrest, a police officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck for about eight minutes. (aeg / sda / dpa)