By Paul Gattis, al.com
A Huntsville grassroots organization said Wednesday it has canceled a scheduled meeting to discuss police issues with Mayor Tommy Battle, taking exception with comments the mayor made last week regarding the police officer convicted of murder.
The Rosa Parks Day Committee said in a statement it was “profoundly disturbed” by comments Battle made in an interview last week with AL.com. As a result, the committee said it would not meet with mayor
Battle issued his own statement Wednesday, saying he was “disappointed” the meeting and continued dialogue with the group had ended.
At issue are prepared statements Battle and police Chief Mark McMurray released following the May 14 conviction of Officer William Ben Darby – who was charged with murder after fatally shooting a man threatening suicide after responding to a call.
The Rosa Parks Day Committee said at a press conference last week that it believed Battle had backed away from his statement, which the group said expressed support for Darby.
The group reversed its position Wednesday, citing a comment Battle made in the AL.com interview.
“I stand on both statements,” Battle told AL.com, referring to his original statement after the verdict as well as a second statement he gave to the committee following their meeting last week.
Battle’s second statement — “I respect the decision of the jury. I respect Officer Darby’s right to appeal” – led the group to withdraw a call for Battle to resign. The group also wants McMurray removed as police chief.
“We accept the mayor’s revised statement as a satisfactory fulfillment of our requests that he recant his previous enthusiastic support of the convicted murderer, Officer William Darby,” David Person of the Rosa Parks committee said at last week’s press conference.
That is no longer the position of the group, according to its statement Wednesday.
“The Rosa Parks Day Committee is profoundly disturbed by the Mayor’s renewed affirmation of Officer Darby, and believe it reflects poorly on the city of Huntsville – especially as its role in state and national affairs continues to grow,” the group said in its statement. “We also believe that his alignment with Officer Darby raises questions about the Mayor’s understanding of our justice system and respect for the rule of law – and undermines the credibility of his own designation of Huntsville as an inclusive community via his ‘One Huntsville’ campaign.”
Battle said continued discussions are the best path forward.
“I am disappointed the members of the Rosa Parks Day Committee have chosen to end productive dialogue,” Battle said in his statement. “We had a good conversation last Wednesday and were set to meet again this week to collaborate on solutions for a better Huntsville. Progress is difficult without dialogue. This administration will continue to communicate with all interested parties seeking to build bridges and make this community and our police department the best they possibly can be. We look forward to many more productive meetings with our community partners.”
The Rosa Parks group also said the U.S. Department of Justice should investigate the Huntsville police department “for civil rights violations, discriminatory practices and malfeasance” relating to police actions during protests last year in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
The findings released last month of the Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council warrant such a review, according to the group.