On Wednesday night, the Rev. Edward Pinckney blamed the Benton Township police for the death of Terrance Shurn, 28, in Benton Harbor in June.
Shurn died when his motorcycle crashed into an abandoned building during a police chase through the city. Hundreds of the city's residents erupted into a two-day riot over Shurn's death.
Some residents of the city said police bumped Shurn's motorcycle, causing him to crash. The incident led to riots on June 16 and 17, where citizens attacked officers, residents and vehicles and burned 21 homes, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.
In his presentation, titled "What Really Caused the Benton Harbor Uprising," Pinckney, executive director of the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization, said the city is still struggling with brutality.
"They have just about destroyed our city," Shurn said about the Benton Township police.
Pinckney told the 20-person audience numerous stories of police brutality, crooked lawyers and greedy judges. Benton Harbor had the highest amount of its citizens in prison per capita in Michigan, Pinckney said, adding that the riots that resulted from Shurn's death were the result of years of built-up racial problems from economic tension, police brutality and racism.
"This was the straw that broke the camel's back," Pinckney said. "You have to be there. The Benton Township police are known to pursue people, to push on people."
Pinckney said it was important to turn around Benton Harbor's economy. He said citizens in the city have no real opportunities for jobs except in fast food. Pinckney blamed the citizens of the city for not standing up to make changes.
"We complained about things that should be done, but we don't stand up for what is right," he said.
English junior Ashley Hill said she attended the speech to hear more about the riots than what she had caught on the news.
"I didn't think in this day and age there were such racial problems," she said. "I thought it had gotten better at this point."
Pinckney said police brutality and murder are a part of everyday life in Benton Harbor and must be stopped.
"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is right," he said.
