Slain teen’s relatives arrested at protest

MILWAUKEE — The mother and sisters of a Black teen who was killed by a suburban Milwaukee police officer were arrested by officers who were cracking down on protesters out after a curfew following a decision not to charge the officer.

Alvin Cole’s mother, Tracy Cole, and his sisters Taleavia and Tristiana Cole were arrested Thursday night, their attorney Kimberley Motley said Friday. They were arrested about 8:30 p.m. along with several others in a church parking lot in Wauwatosa, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Motley tweeted that Tracy Cole was arrested “for peacefully protesting” and “ended up in the hospital.” Motley said Tracy Cole, 48, was taken to Froedtert Hospital with arm and forehead injuries. Tristiana Cole was taken there as well.

Motley later tweeted that both were released from the hospital. Police tweeted Thursday night that several people were arrested, and said one woman requested medical attention and was taken to a hospital.

Protesters gathered in Wauwatosa for two straight nights to demonstrate against prosecutors’ decision not to charge officer Joseph Mensah in Alvin Cole’s death. Pressure mounted on the city’s police commission Friday to decide whether to discipline Mensah. An independent investigator has recommended he be fired.

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is Oct. 21, but Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland, who represents parts of Wauwatosa, called for the panel to meet next week.