COUNCILMEMBER PARKS APPEARING LIVE ON CNN’S NEWSROOM TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ON MICHAEL BROWN AND FERGUSON, MO WHAT: Councilmember Bernard C. Parks will appear live on Friday, August 22 around 7:15 a.m. (pacific time) on CNN’s Newsroom with Carol Costello to discuss the larger issues the community of Ferguson should look to address now that the federal investigation into Michael Brown’s death is underway. As with the shooting death of Ezell Ford, an unarmed and mentally ill 25-year-old African-American man in Los Angeles, and other officer-involved shooting deaths, Parks has pleaded that communities allow investigations to take their course before pre-determining conclusions. For the community of Ferguson, he hopes this incident will stimulate them to get involved in civic activities and hold public representatives accountable. Michael Brown’s funeral will take place Monday, August 25. In light of the calmer nights of demonstrations that have been taken place, Thursday, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon ordered the National Guard to withdraw from the town. Attorney General Eric Holder’s presence and communication with people there has also been attributed to quelling some tensions. Councilmember Parks served as Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) from 1997-2002 and as an officer for 38 years. During his tenure, he implemented some of the most rigorous and transparent police reforms ever proposed in the history of the police department, including the institution of an Officer Accountability Policy. He also made it easier for the community to file complaints against officers by streamlining the Citizen Complaint System. Parks fired more than 130 problem police officers during his term. WHEN: Friday, August 22 around 7:15 a.m. (pacific time) WHO: Councilmember Bernard C. Parks CNN Newsroom Anchor Carol Costello WHERE: On TV, CNN. Check your cable provider for channel.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:40:00 +0000