Crown Heights Rally To Call For Justice For Man Shot By Police

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A candlelight march in Crown Heights this week will mark one month since a man was shot by police in the neighborhood, prompting calls for change in how cops handle encounters with those suffering mental illness.

The "Light the Night March" will kick off on Thursday evening at the Eastern Parkway block where police fired ten shots at 26-year-old Eudes Pierre, who had led officers on a chase while holding a pink knife, according to police.

The NYPD later deemed the shooting a "suicide by cop," saying Pierre had called 911 on himself and left a suicide note at his family's home before the incident.

But family have pushed back on the narrative, arguing that mental health experts should have been at the scene to help Pierre, who suffered from bipolar disorder, according to reports from the time.

Thursday's rally will amplify the #JusticeforEudes message.

"Our objective is to illuminate Eudes' memory...shed a light on mental health awareness and the need for resources and support, and highlight the use of excessive force by NYPD toward our brothers and sisters," a flyer for the event reads.

Pierre's death comes as advocacy groups urge a new approach to responding to New Yorkers in mental health emergencies. Across the city, 25 New Yorkers have been killed by police during mental health emergencies since 2007, according to advocacy group Correct Crisis Intervention Today.

The city has recently experimented with removing police from mental health calls in a few Harlem precincts, but an analysis of the program found that cops still answered most of the 911 calls.

The group organizing the #JusticforEudes march are specifically advocating for the "Eudes Pierre law," which would require a behavior specialist at every police call and train police to use non-lethal techniques when responding to such calls. The group has created a website and petition, which has gained 14,000 signatures online.

"Alternatives solutions are needed by the NYPD and that is what we are voicing," they write.

Those interested in attending the march in Crown Heights on Thursday are asked to bring candles or their phones to use as flashlights, according to the flyer. Flyers, t-shirts and signs are also welcome.

The marchers will walk on the sidewalk from the meeting spot at 1090 Eastern Parkway to the 71st Precinct on Empire Boulevard, where they will hold five minutes of silence for each bullet that hit Pierre, according to the flyer.

The group will then head back to Eastern Parkway.

The rally is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. and will last about a half hour. For more information, click here.