“Matt Rush must go” said Sundiata Cha-Jua, U of I professor and representative of the North End Men’s Breakfast Club, “―to jail!” He spoke out at a press conference held by fifteen leaders in the African-American community that was called by State Representative Carol Ammons.
Several members of the group had met with Rietz in December to discuss the case of Champaign Police Officer Matt Rush. The city had then settled three excessive force lawsuits against Rush totaling $320,000 (a fourth lawsuit has since been filed). According to Cha-Jua, Rietz then floated the idea that an effective solution would be for the city to offer a cash payout $300,000 for Rush to quit. Nobody in the room believed this would be justice for Rush. They left the meeting demanding charges be brought against him.
Several weeks later, Cha-Jua said, Rietz’s announcement that she would not press charges was basically the same conclusion she had outlined to the group. “Matt Rush must go. He should not pass go, collect $300,000. He should go straight to prison.”
The press conference was organized by State Representative Carol Ammons, who had facilitated the December meeting. “This is about ending police brutality,” Ammons told the press, “and to demand accountability from one of the most powerful entities that governs our lives: law enforcement.”
It was also important, Ammons stated, “to stand up and affirm that the African Americans in Champaign-Urbana are afforded and deserve the same level of respect and protection as all our constituents deserve.” [See Ammons’s full statement below.] All of the lawsuits against Rush have been filed by African American residents.
The press conference was held at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, on Bradley Avenue in Urbana, thanks to Pastor Keith Thomas who provided the space. Pastor Thomas expressed his “utter disgust.” Officer Rush had a “catalogue of violence” against people “that look like myself, and my daughter.”
Pastor Ricky Parks, of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church also expressed his disappointment that Rush was not charged, but said he was “expecting it not to happen.” As long as Rush was on the force, “we feel we’re not safe.” Not just black people, but “all of us” should be outraged by this injustice.
“It’s time to stop writing the checks,” Pastor Parks said, “and pass out a pink slip.”
President of the Champaign Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana and Vicinity, Overseer Charlotte F. Blisset reminded the crowd that this was yet another sad casualty at the hands of police, “as in Kiwane Carrington. As in Ferguson.” In addition to Michael Brown, she was referring to the 15 year-old black youth killed by a Champaign police officer in 2009.
A petition is currently circulating calling for prosecuting of Rush that has more than 600 signatures.
Friday morning a community protest is taking place at the Champaign County Courthouse on Main Street in downtown Urbana. It is being organized by Black Lives Matter: Champaign-Urbana, and Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice.