By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Staff
BIRMINGHAM — A coalition of clergy, community activists and families affected by police violence is calling on Birmingham leaders to take urgent action following two fatal officer-involved shootings one month apart. The open letter centers on the deaths of Vanessa Ragland and Jamal D’Angelo Williams, both of whom were experiencing mental health crises when they were killed.
“As families grieve the losses of Vanessa Ragland and Jamal D’Angelo Williams, it has become clear that this administration must reckon with the reality of individuals being killed, harmed and hurt by police,” said the Rev. Eric Hall, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Birmingham.
The letter argues that the deaths reveal deep flaws in how the city handles residents in crisis, stating: “A city cannot claim safety while its residents cannot trust that calling for help will keep them alive.”
Two Deaths, One Community Demand
Williams, 26, a father of two, was shot Nov. 28 after officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert at the Rev. Dr. Morrell Todd Homes. Police footage shows Williams behaving erratically, striking a vehicle and later pulling a gun as officers approached. His mother said he lived with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He died shortly after at UAB Hospital.
Ragland, 36, described by family as autistic, was fatally shot Oct. 29 inside her Birmingham home. Body-camera video shows an officer overwhelmed in a struggle with two women before firing three shots in a tight bedroom space.
Coalition Demands Reforms
Nearly 40 signatories — including Wilson’s family and relatives of other police-shooting victims — are demanding:
- Immediate release of all unedited video and internal communications.
- Public apologies to both families.
- Separation of crisis-response services from armed policing.
- More youth and poverty-related support resources.
- Mandatory training on autism and mental-health response.
- Greater transparency in all investigations.
City officials have not yet responded to the letter.
Photo Caption 1:
Advocates gather outside Birmingham City Hall urging reforms following the police shootings of Vanessa Ragland and Jamal D’Angelo Williams.
Photo Caption 2:
Families and clergy call for mental-health-centered crisis response and full transparency in future police investigations.