La’Shadion Shemwell has got folks UPSET. He’s the one Black city councilman in a conservative suburb north of Dallas, Texas called McKinney. After being outspoken on several issues, he decided to take on the police - and what he had to say could cost him his job.
La’Shadion declared a “Black State of Emergency” following the killing of Atatiana Jefferson and others in Texas.
The ongoing police brutality problem affecting our people led him to take a stand demanding equal protection for Black people and accountability for the police, but many didn’t like this.
La’Shadion’s declaration also follows his own run-ins with law enforcement. After surviving a police stop and a mistrial for refusing to give a weapon to police during a march, he knows law enforcement well - and knows police brutality is a problem in Texas and around the country.
Councilman Shemwell has had thousands of petition signatures calling for his removal and though things are increasingly tense, he’s refusing to stand down!
The council is not supporting him and even the mayor supports his removal. And since he won’t resign, he now faces a recall.
His supporters are denouncing everything that’s going on, however. Because the fight over Councilman Shemwell isn’t just about him. The larger issue is the police brutality he called out.
That very real issue shouldn’t be lost here because it’s maintained its place in our lives no matter who’s been in office.