Protesters want change after shooting

TUPELO, Miss. — Two and a half months after police shot and killed a man who fled from a traffic stop, about 100 to 150 people marched through Tupelo demanding change.

It was the third protest in just over a month — and the second since a grand jury declined in early August to indict Tupelo Police Department Officer Tyler Cook in the death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

Members of Stand Up Mississippi and the Coalition of Concerned Pastors and Leaders walked through Tupelo on Saturday, shouting, “No justice, no peace!”

A group called Confederates United Patriots Society held a counter-protest, WCBI-TV and WTVA-TV reported.

About 30 people carried Confederate battle flags and state flags, shouting, “Justice has been served!” and the officer’s name.

The pastors’ and leaders’ coalition wants a civilian review board, more community-oriented policing and an independent investigation into Shumpert’s death. It also wants Tupelo to take down the state flag, which incorporates the battle flag.

Rev. Jeffrey Gladney called for more black educators in the school system and more diversity on the city council.

“I’m here to say that Tupelo has hid behind the false notion that we’re an All America City, but in all reality, it’s the All America City for the haves and not the have-nots,” he said “A true All America City would be all inclusive in its hiring practices.”