SPOKANE, Wash. — Over the past few months, protests across the country have become normal and there have been several in Spokane. On Sunday, it was no different as a gathering formed outside of the Spokane County Courthouse calling for the defunding of police.
After George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis Police, a national conversation began about how much funding police departments get, and if that money could be used in other ways.
“They have exorbitant funding that they’re spending on weaponry, military-grade equipment that should not be used,” said Emily Peters of the Human Rights Activist Coterie.
Organizers of Sunday’s protest feel that police brutality is something that happens far too often here in Spokane.
Organizers said their goal isn't necessarily to abolish police but things like homelessness, education, and forming bonds with the community are something they prioritize over arrest and traffic stops.
It's something organizers say they’re willing to fight for no matter how long it takes.
“The city council, our mayor, the police department themselves, they need to stand up and do what they need to take care of things in their own home,” said Debbie Novak.
Debbie is the mother of David Novak. He was a 35-year-old man shot and killed by the Spokane Police Department on January 7th, 2019.
“They've got big-time problems and they can't go around with their head in the sand and act like everything is ok,” Novak said.
The prosecutor in David's case decided lethal force was justified by Spokane Police, but Novak's family says he was unarmed on his own property so there was no reason for his life to be taken.
Every seventh day of the month, his family stands in front of the courthouse to push for change and get David's name cleared.
“If it was your brother or sister you would be devastated,” expressed Crystal Jenkins, David's sister. “They would be devastated and we have family that is in the police department that we do back but when they are not letting us back them, that’s their own fault.”
Across the street from the rally to defund the police was a counter-protest in support of law enforcement. The two sides exchanged chants for nearly two hours before things wrapped up.
