Vigils, March Planned for Terrence Coleman

BOSTON, MA — Disability rights advocates and Mass Action Against Police Brutality are each holding events this week in protest of the Boston Police Department's killing of a Terrence Coleman.

Coleman was shot by officers while allegedly wielding a knife and attempting to stab EMTs called because he was suffering from paranoia and schizophrenia, according to the Boston Police Department. The incident occurred in Boston's South End, in the 200 block of Shawmut Avenue.

Coleman's mother disputed the police department's characterization of events, saying her son did not have a knife.

The alleged discrepancies between the stories has sparked outrage from some community advocates.

A Justice for Terrence Coleman Vigil and March is being hosted Wednesday by Mass Action Against Police Brutality, while advocates plan to host a Disability Solidarity Vigil for Coleman Saturday, roughly one week after his death. Event details available at the link.

Community leaders who met with police representatives have expressed faith in police accounts of the story, but some believe it speaks to a need to better fund mental health caseworkers within the department or to consider mandating police body cameras be on during domestic calls (currently, police must obtain residents' permission). The officers at Shawmut Avenue were not participants in the city's 100-officer body camera pilot program.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's office is conducting an independent investigation of the incident.

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