The Next Generation Action Network’s (NGAN) president and founder exchanged emails with Dallas Police Chief David Brown but requested a one-on-one meeting with him to discuss plans for a rally in downtown Dallas tonight. However, when Chief Brown added a stipulation that NGAN cancel their planned rally, the two did not meet.
Speaking by phone this afternoon with NDG, Minister Alexander shared why he declined Chief Brown’s demand via email to cancel the rally.
“The first element of the police officer’s commission is to serve and protect the community. That is the main thing. The rally is proceeding today at 6:30 p.m.”
When asked if they tried to accommodate the police’s safety concerns, Minister Alexander confirmed they have.
“We have met with their dignitary protection; we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.”
According to Minister Alexander, the rally has one primary goal: The rally is to get the city council and the Mayor to address the policy reforms they are demanding.
Below is a statement released by the Dallas Police Department regarding the email communication between Minister Alexander
“On August 9, 2016, Minister Dominique Alexander, the president and founder of Next Generation Action Network, requested to meet with Chief David Brown in a one-on-one meeting. Mr. Alexander was one of the organizers of the downtown rally on July 7, 2016.
Chief Brown stated to Mr. Alexander that he would agree to meet with him on the condition that Mr. Alexander publicly agrees to discontinue protests in the downtown area given the tragic circumstances of July 7, 2016 and the associated concerns for our officer’s safety. In addition, Chief Brown asked Mr. Alexander to choose a protest location more tactically advantageous to officers’ safety. Mr. Alexander stated he could not cancel the rally, but would not march. Chief Brown then asked what’s more important than our officers’ safety, and insisted that today’s rally be cancelled and that he should not schedule anymore in the downtown area.
Below is the Dallas Police Department’s stance on the citizen’s right to protest:
‘The Dallas Police Department will not interfere with a lawful and peaceful assembly of any individuals or groups expressing their first amendment rights. The Dallas Police Department will take enforcement action if any type of criminal offense is committed against any person or property. Enforcement action will also be taken if demonstrators illegally impede traffic in the roadway or attempt to shut down a freeway. The safety of our officers and citizens is the primary concern as individuals or groups gather to express their first amendment rights.'”
You can visit their website for an image of their the email exchange between Chief David Brown and Mr. Alexander.
It seems that Police Chief Brown has an “insistence” out of line with his delegated civil authority. Police Chief Brown seems confused from where his authority is derived and where his responsibilities lie.
His first, final and foremost “law enforcement” responsibility lies with Dallas citizens. It is not Chief Brown’s prerogative to orchestrate, control or interpret the right of citizens to assemble.
Chief Brown, ‘insisting’ all that he might… irregardless of general’s stars appended to his uniform… is not responsible for enforcing martial law in Dallas, Texas. In spite of appearances, Chief Brown has neither the authority or responsibility to impose martial law in Dallas, Texas…by insistence, or otherwise.
Agreed but right now he is the media darling of the moment – with the full support of the Back the Blue forces. Everyone seems to have suddenly forgotten that not too long ago his troops were very disgruntled with him.
That Chief Brown is the ‘media darling’ of the moment gives him wide, wide latitude in administering police reform within. His notoriety around the world, the professional esteem with which he is held by peers is testimony to his law enforcement leadership. Fleeting fame that it is, Chief Brown can exploit this situation for the good of the Dallas community. He can lead the police department to ending the “divisiveness” between the community and law enforcement that he has called for.
This divisiveness will not cease with visits to school classrooms. Training, retraining and sensitivity development will do nothing to mitigate long standing issues from across the nation that law enforcement personnel are not held accountable to the degree that the average citizen is held. Dallas is no exception to that citizen perception. Chief Brown issues an edict that an assembly not take place, it does. Chief Brown acts in every manner possible to disrupt the assembly. That failing, Chief Brown “orchestrates” the assembly to perform where and when he wishes. Were it not for the restraint of protestors, Chief brown’s “troops” stood ready to punish.