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The W.E. Rising Project held a Candlelight Vigil on Sept. 24 at City Hall Plaza.The vigil was to honor the lives of Dion Johnson, Breonna Taylor and people of color who have been affected by police brutality.
The rally took place as a peaceful event for the project to plan their next steps. Those who were unable to attend could watch an online town hall with the NAACP on education initiatives. The event started with leaders of W.E. Rising, and then held an open mic for protesters to vent their frustration.
One of the speakers was Erma Johnson, the mother of 28-year-old Dion Johnson who was killed by police in back in May.
“I just don’t understand the justice system. I don’t like the justice system. And it’s not only here in Arizona, it’s all over the world but I’m born and raised here and I hate it here. I hate Arizona just because of the justice system just because of how we are treated here. It’s not fair. It probably not ever will be,” Erma said.
Erma also addressed Trooper George Cervantes, the officer that’s accused of shooting her son.
“You made my life a living hell took away my son. He was my heart. He was everything to me. Now, I don’t know day to day how I even function right. AlI think about is him,” Erma said. “I don’t hear him. I don’t hear that no more. And it hurts. I can’t hardly sleep. Can’t eat. I can’t think right. I’m going through a lot. I just want you to know what you did to us to the Johnson family.”
Contact the reporter at ktmoss1@asu.edu.
