Mississippi lawmaker wants ‘black leadership’ to team up & throw rocks at police
Kenneth Stokes, a councilman in Jackson, came under fire after he suggested using force against police officers from other jurisdictions who come into Jackson chasing petty criminals, claiming this is dangerous for children in neighborhood streets.
"What I suggest is we get the black leadership together, and as these jurisdictions come into Jackson we throw rocks and bricks and bottles at them. That will send a message we don't want you in here," he told WLBT News.
Stokes’ comments came after a high-speed chase in pursuit of a thief on Christmas Eve.
“These kind of chases put children in danger. They said parents were trying to get their children out of harm’s way,” he said.
“Now, it is our position that if it is a misdemeanor, you shouldn’t be putting children and the elderly in danger. Now, if you are talking about a murderer or a bank robbery, then this is person who may be a little more dangerous to the community, but not a misdemeanor.”
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant called Stokes’ comments relating to police officers "reprehensible” and says he will ask the Attorney General to investigate the remarks.
Below is my full statement regarding Jackson city councilman Kenneth Stokes’ remarks about law enforcement officers. “...
Posted by Phil Bryant on Friday, January 1, 2016
The Attorney General, Jim Hood, has since issued a statement saying that “comments or actions that put out law enforcement officers in harm’s way cannot be tolerated."
Full statement from @AGJimHood regarding comment from Jackson Councilman Kenneth Stoke's pic.twitter.com/S3emsNQOJx
— Malary Pullen (@MPullen_WJTV) January 2, 2016
Stoke’s comments have sparked an outcry online, resulting in the #kennethstokes hashtag and calls for him to be prosecuted.
@AGJimHood Consider this my formal complaint. Kenneth Stokes publicly called for violence against Law Enforcement. Prosecute!
— Linda Patterson (@ICAngels) January 3, 2016
This is criminal! Councilman Kenneth Stokes Encourages Residents To Throw Rocks At Police - https://t.co/rONx7wWu0o#police#disrespect
— Robert Tornabene (@RobertTornabene) January 3, 2016
Councilman Kenneth Stokes in Mississippi can be fired now. We do not need people in public office who say cops need to...
Posted by Matt Meagher on Sunday, January 3, 2016
I very vividly remember the day this happened. I got a call saying there was a shooting inside JPD headquarters and I...
Posted by Brandi Armstrong Reid on Sunday, January 3, 2016
Stokes also suggested taking court action against outside police agencies that come into Jackson chasing misdemeanor offenders.
City officials have raised concerns about high-speed chases involving officers from nearby jurisdictions.
Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber said officers should respect county boundaries, but added he does not condone violence against cops.