James E. Davis

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James E. Davis (born April 3, 1962 in Brooklyn , † July 23, 2003 in New York City ) was an American policeman of African American origin, New York City Councilor and politician ( Democratic Party ).

Career

James E. Davis, son of James and Thelma Davis, grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island . Raised under diverse cultural ecclesiastical, Afro-American as well as Indian and Jewish influences, he graduated from school well and received a bachelor's degree from Pace University , where he studied social sciences and youth work.

One morning in 1983, he was sitting in his mother's car outside his house when two white police officers approached him and accused him of stealing a car with guns on his head. They tore him out of the car with their guns attached and repeatedly hit his head against the car, despite his mother trying to stop them by explanation. Davis was handcuffed, arrested and imprisoned. This experience became a key one for him. Despite the physical and emotional injuries, Davis decided to become a police officer. His career began as a New York law enforcement officer on Rikers Island . He was a member of the New York City Police Department before becoming an instructor at the Police Academy, where he instructed police officers on everything to do with people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

In 1990 he founded the association "Love yourself, stop violence". Affected by the growing violence in the boroughs, James began a campaign against guns, drugs, and school crime. Davis did not see crime and violence as his career - he saw his mission as a "war". So he called out "war in our own churches. Let the good people of the churches (men, women, and children) stand up with a warlike spirit! Let's take our streets again. The good people are the silent majority, and it's up to them." to recapture their community. "

In 1994 he achieved that the toy retailer Toys R Us withdrew real-looking war toys from its range. He was able to persuade the TV broadcaster MTV (under threat of boycott actions by advertisers) to drop rap videos that glorified violence. Davis fought energetically and passionately in his struggle for youth. A determined committed personality, he has appeared on television for change in the fight against youth violence, child abuse, crime and police brutality. His activity has been the subject of numerous reports and television programs.

Davis was extremely sensitive to the important role government and politics played in supporting the fight against violence. So he turned his attention to new voters, especially in neglected neighborhoods, where residents had no political power because they did not vote. Davis struggled to transform the system from within, including politicians who often ignored problems while he and a few others sought, with meager means, to effect significant positive change. With a high level of attention and human sensitivity, Davis was a tireless guide and thus played a positive role.

On July 23, 2003, Davis was shot dead by a guest, 31-year-old Othniel Askew , during an event he was hosting at New York City Hall . Askew, who was shot dead by police shortly afterwards, was a candidate with Davis for the Democratic Party's nomination for the upcoming council election.

In 2010, Geoffrey A. Davis released a documentary on Davis' life.

Web links

supporting documents

  1. ^ Murder at City Hall: Councilman James E. Davis' Story. In: Maysles.org , April 25, 2011.
personal data
SURNAME Davis, James E.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH April 3, 1962
PLACE OF BIRTH Brooklyn
DATE OF DEATH July 23, 2003
Place of death New York City