Mumpower cancels police support rally; LGBTQ rally still on
ASHEVILLE – Organizers of a police support rally said Wednesday they have canceled the event over fears it could turn violent.
Former Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower said he doesn't trust groups planning a counterprotest at the same time Thursday.
"Certainly my intention whenever possible is to challenge with as much enthusiasm as I can to highlight the absurdity of some of these folks," he said. "I haven't said things like, 'Burn this b—h down.'"
The stepfather of Michael Brown made that comment to protesters after a grand jury failed to indict a white police officer who killed Brown, a black 18-year-old.
Area LGBTQ groups said they planned the counterprotest to affirm that black lives matter and to share stories of black transgender and cisgender women who they say are also targeted by police.
"Regardless of whether pro-police rallies happen, we are committed to supporting black queer and transgender people who have been and continue to be oppressed by racism and transphobia," said an organizer who goes by the name Lichen LP.
"We want white people specifically to know about the violence black queer and transgender people experience at the hands of police."
Lichen LP confirmed late Wednesday the counter protest will go on as planned after people commented on a Facebook event expressing interest in rallying.
"We don't have to cancel our positive display of solidarity just because they canceled their thing," wrote local black activist Calvin Allen.
"We should have good visibility to remind Asheville that police violence also disproportionately affects our LGBTQ community of color."
On Facebook, Lichen LP urged people to "Bring sings, bring love and bring your truth."
Protests in Asheville have been peaceful, but Mumpower said he didn't want to provide "the opportunity" for that to change.
Mumpower defended his earlier comments to the Citizen-Times, remarks some found racially insensitive and that inspired the counterprotest. The former councilman said earlier this week that area protests have been misguided and the focus should be on black-on-black crime.
"I try to be direct and honest," Mumpower said. "To me, we have been far too tolerant in this community. There are a lot of aggressive minority voices who have come here not to uplift our culture, but kidnap it. That doesn't call for silence or passivity in my view," he said.
"Outside people have come here with a broad insensitivity to the traditional culture and values of our community and that merits challenge."
Mumpower added that he thinks there is no honest debate or cooperative effort among political groups in Asheville.
"That's what I am trying to do," he said.
Instead of rallying, the conservative activists are encouraging people to support the police by sending Christmas and thank you cards.
Roberto Hess, a social work student at Western Carolina University, is following the actions of area protesters closely.
Hess organized a candle light vigil downtown with students from UNC Asheville on Dec. 7 to raise concerns about police brutality and race.
"It is not with joy we come together to stand in the rain and cold to raise awareness about this issue, it is out of frustration, pain and sorrow," he said. "What (Mumpower) mistakes as 'fun' is a community coming together to understand how to heal and make progress. Often, even when something is not 'fun,' you must take action."
Mumpower's comments and the planned counterprotest come after five organized demonstrations in Buncombe County that started the evening of Nov. 25 after a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson.
Brown was unarmed when he was shot by the police officer in August.
Protesters gathered again Dec. 4 in response to another grand jury decision to end the criminal case against a white New York police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, whose chokehold led to the death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man.
Want to stay involved?
LGBTQ organizers are planning a protest at Vance Memorial Monument at noon Thursday to affirm that black lives matter. Demonstrators are asked to bring signs that honor black queer and transgender people, women and girls who haven't been the main focus of recent protests, but who are targeted by police. More information is available at www.facebook.com/events/746958778726461/.
Other activists are also organizing a WNC Solidarity March Against Police Violence in downtown Asheville Saturday, the same day national demonstrators plan to lead a march on Washington. Protesters plan to meet at 4 p.m. at the St. James Methodist African Episcopal Church, 44 Hildebrand St. They will walk to the Vance Monument. More information is available at www.facebook.com/events/1505544429717774/.
Local faith leaders also plan to host Black Lives Matter at the Hill Street Baptist Church, 135 Hill St. in Asheville, 6 p.m. Sunday. African-American churches across the country have declared Dec. 14 as Solidarity Sunday, encouraging all people who attend worship to wear black to send the message that black lives have value.
Activists have also organized HoodTalk for people interested in engaging in a long-term effort to address issues of racism and police oppression in the community. All are welcome to attend the next meeting 6-8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Klondyke Apartments. More information is available at www.facebook.com/hoodtalk828.
After cancelling their rally, conservative protesters are encouraging people to show support for the police by sending them holiday and thank you cards. The Asheville Police Department can be reached at 100 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC, 28801.
Building Bridges, a local nonprofit that works to confront and overcome racism though education and support, hosts two annual nine-week classes for the public about race relations in the community. Its next session runs Jan. 26-March 23. Information about registration is at www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/.
If you are planning an event or rally about race relations in the community, contact reporter Beth Walton at bwalton@citizen-times.com, 232-5851.