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'We're Mothers!': Protesters Rally in Waukegan After Fatal Police Shooting of Black Man

Protesters marched through Waukegan, Illinois, on October 22, in protest over the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette the night before, reports said.

The Chicago Tribune reported that police opened fire on Stinnette and a woman identified by family members as Tafara Williams when an officer approached their vehicle on foot and they began reversing. Police said the officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle and fired his weapon out fear for his safety. Williams, who was driving, was shot twice and taken to hospital where she received treatment, reports said.

Protesters marched through neighborhoods in Waukegan on Thursday and briefly blocked traffic downtown.

“They’re taking our babies from us,” one woman says in the footage. “We’re mothers! Women’s justice for our babies,” she continues.

A woman who identified herself to reporters as Stinnette’s grandmother said she had forgiven the police officer who killed her grandson.

“My grandson died with a smile on his face. I know he did, thank you Jesus. And the police officer, he’s forgiven. I have to forgive him. That’s what God wants me to do,” the woman said.

Also at the rally was Letetra Wideman, a sister of Jacob Blake, who was shot and wounded by police in Wisconsin in August. Wideman said she was there in solidarity with families whose loved ones were killed by police. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful