Rally and March in Tulsa on behalf of the late Terence Crutcher

Rev. Al Sharpton speaks, along side Family of Trayvon Martin's Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump, in front of Tulsa Black Wall Street Monument about the police shooting of unarmed Terence Crutcher. (photo by Christopher Ford)

Story by KTUL, TULSA, Okla.
Written by Jessica Remer

More than 1,000 people were expected to attend a rally Tuesday afternoon at Tulsa's Greenwood Cultural Center in support of Terence Crutcher and other African Americans killed by police.

Reverend Al Sharpton joined community leaders and other activists Tuesday for the National Prayer and Call for Justice rally and march. Sharpton announced his plans to come to Tulsa last week alongside the family of Terence Crutcher in New York.

Crutcher, 40, was shot and killed Sept. 16 by Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler charged Shelby with first-degree manslaughter in the shooting. An investigator for the DA's office says Shelby overreacted and escalated the situation.

Crutcher was unarmed.

Tuesday's rally began at 2 p.m. with a prayer and song. Early on, one speaker called attention to a group of protesters across the street, telling the rally-goers not to interfere or disturb the other demonstration.

"We're not saying police lives don't matter. We're not saying black lives don't matter. We're saying all lives matter," he said.

Crutcher's cousin spoke about his compassion, and State Rep. Regina Goodwin said we're here for the Crutcher family, for all families who have lost people to violence.

Demario Solomon-Simmons, an attorney and friend of the Crutcher family, said Tuesday's rally was about love, healing, prayer and justice. Attorney Benjamin Crump said the Crutcher family wanted everyone to come together for truth and justice.

Tiffany Crutcher, Terence Crutcher's twin sister, said she wants Tulsa to be known as the city that spread healing across the country. She introduced her brother's four children, who said they wanted to be part of the movement.

A number of other speakers took the mic before Sharpton arrived and thanked Tulsa police and other leaders for their transparency and quick actions after Crutcher's shooting. He led the march to City Hall, which concluded with chants of "No justice, no peace," and "Hands up, don't shoot."

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