Pamela Lawton with Jasmine, 8, left, and Joshalyn, 7. On Aug. 26, 2006 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pamela Lawton was on her way to a Pee Wee League football game with her two daughters (pictured above) and two other children, ages 2 and 3, when she was stopped by a cop (Officer Eric Tatusko) who held a gun on her 7 year old daughter.

During this time, Lawton says Tatusko refused to take her identification, never told her why she was stopped and never left the passenger side of the vehicle. She said at one point the officer got so angry he cocked his gun and said if Joshalyn moved again he would “blow her brains out.”

“He clicked the thing back and then he turned off his radio,” said Jasmine. “I was like ‘He’s going to kill us.’”

I haven’t heard word of what has become of Officer Tatusko, ie, whether or not he has been suspended, etc., but there will be a Civilian Police Review Board meeting tomorrow (Sept. 18) in Pittsburgh to address this issue. From an email on the NHHPC listserv from X-Clan founder Paradise Gray:

If you are in the Pittsburgh area come out tomorrow! Monday – September 18th, 2006 – 6:00 PM.

City Council Chambers,
510 City-County Building
414 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Call: 412-765-8023 to reserve 3 minutes of speaking time.
cprb@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Everyone who is interested in justice should show up at this meeting, but it should be of particular interest to black men. It is time for us to be responsible for our families and community. So many of us should show up that they should have standing room only and a large crowd outside that can’t fit in. All sinners and saints alike should be at this meeting showing our love and committment for the safety of our women and children.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area please come to this meeting! Support justice for the Lawtons!

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