Groups protest deadly Oʻahu police shootings

“When a homeless man who was disabled is shot and killed, we have to ask ourselves, what is going on?” said Liz Rees of Refuse Fascism, which organized the march and a press conference at HPD’s main station. “I do not believe for one moment that that was the only alternative law enforcement had. There were many other steps that should have been taken.”

She also highlighted the shooting death of a suspected shoplifter on February 20. He had been cornered by unmarked police vehicles in Mililani, then shot when he tried to flee in a pickup truck. After he was shot, the truck crashed, critically injuring his two passengers.

“We need to stop going along with the theory that police don’t have other options,” Rees said. “When a homeless person is shot and killed, we need to speak out. When a suspected shoplifter is shot and killed, we need to speak out.”

Will Caron, executive committee co-chair of Young Progressives Demanding Action, said, “We know that it is necessary to question the official story whenever someone is killed by a law enforcement officer.”

Caron urged the public to call on their legislators to support HB285, which would amend the Uniform Practices Act to allow for public access to information about suspended police officers. Caron said the bill would “eliminate the exemption police officers enjoy that prevents public notice about officers who have been suspended or removed from duty because of misconduct.”