“X marches for justice at the sheriff’s department”
By Reynaud Thibodeaux

Quanell X discusses documents with Wayne Dolcefino.

Under threatening skies and a 100' degree heat index Minister Quanell X of the New Black Panther Party led hundreds of supporters in a march from the Harris County Jail at 703 San Jacinto to the Baker St. offices of Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas. Thomas has been under pressure to resign because of questionable acts that have occurred in the department under his tenure and they continue, i.e. the attempted deleting of e-mails and charges of brutality upon the inmates as the system continues to teeter on being overcrowded. The march was designed to bring a higher profile to such charges and to bring a halt to such practices of intimidation and brutality that are being documented.

X, in the wake of being involved with an unprecedented case of violence told the congregation that it is time for “a change in the way that business” has been done in the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. And that the “good ole’ boy” system is outdated and needs to be dismantled. There were a host of organizations and personalities who responded to the call for unity in confronting such a problem that affects many African American families and their children in such a negative manner. There were victims, young men and their mothers who recalled their challenges by those with the Sheriff’s Department whether they were being locked up and had been incarcerated for a period of time.

Freddie Madison said that he was involved in the march because “I feel like an injustice has been done to many of our sisters and brothers, Indian, Black, white, Hispanic, whatever. We do need justice in this department.” The iconic Rev. Ray Martin of the Progressive Amateur Boxing Association stated that “I am here in support of the march against the injustices that have been existing down through the years in the Sheriff’s Department.” X reveals that the Sheriff’s Department is sexist, it’s racist, it’s discriminatory, it’s bigoted, not only are they deliberate bigots, they are racial bigots, they are racist against Asians, they are racist against Hispanics, they are racist against African Americans, they are racist against the poor, this racist institution is one that should be brought all the way down, when is the government going to do something and step up to the plate and take over this Harris County Sheriff’s Department because county officials don’t have the ‘scrotums’ to do it, county officials lack the courage to do it, the government should come in and bring this place down.”

When questioned about who they represent X stated that “we represent those in the minority who have the courage to mobilize and organize to fight this department. We represent those who are unafraid, those who are not intimidated by this particular racist department. We represent those who would stand like Jesus did with a small group and a small band of people to make a significant change, but there’s a silent majority that does not want this to continue like business as usual and that majority will come to speak come November.”

Sandra Massie Hines, long time community activist stated that “we are out here today to save our race, Blacks and minority males are being exterminated on the streets, are being killed by the Sheriff’s Department and the police officers, today, we’re saying enough, we want the Sheriff to go right now, today, we’re not just asking him to resign, we want him to go. We have far too many of our Black men and boys being destroyed and terminated on the streets by the sheriff and by the police department, it’s time out, the time is up, the time is up for the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement to work with the community. We’re asking for Sheriff Tommy Thomas to resign, to get out, we want a new Sheriff, somebody who’ll be committed and sensitive to the community.” As they chanted “the people united, will never be defeated” many onlookers voiced their support for what was going on.