MADISON, Ala. — One year later and one community is still chanting Dana Fletcher's name. The Madison County District Attorney ruled Fletcher's killing "justified" after he was shot and killed by police.
WZDX News spoke with the Fletcher family on why and how they're keeping his name alive.
"Someone has to answer to what someone has done to my son, Dana Sherrod Fletcher, on October 27th, 2019," says his mother, Deborah Fletcher.
People both near and far rallied to commemorate one year since Fletcher's death by participating in the 'Weekend of Action' demonstration.
"I'm travelling from Michigan. So I'm one of the organizers for the 1K Mile March, and we heard about the Dana Fletcher incident and we knew that it was coming up to be a year of the anniversary. We reached out to see what we can do to help them get change, justice, and equality," says Dr. Sherri Reese, with the 1K Mile March.
Fletcher was shot outside a Planet Fitness after officials say he was armed. His wife, who was in the van with their daughter, says he wasn't.
What led up to the shooting, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, the Madison Police Department responded to a call of a suspicious person at the Planet Fitness on Highway 72.
A citizen called police saying that Fletcher and a woman were inside the business videoing people and asking personal questions. The Madison County District Attorney later ruled the shooting was justified.
However, since then Fletcher's family says there's a lack of transparency from the police department. "We are making an unceasing demand that they release the names and release the body cam footage," says his sister, Shayla Fletcher.
Fletcher's wife, Cherelle Fletcher, is pushing a bill named after her husband that requires police to publicly release body cam video.
"The reason to why this bill is necessary is because there is no legislation in Alabama that states anyone is allowed access to body cam footage worn by police officers," says Mrs. Fletcher.
At some point during the protest, Madison police interacted with the Fletchers before their march.
One of the officers who chose not to go on camera for an interview, including Lt. Greg Dees, however says "We want to provide assistance to make sure everybody is safe".
Shayla Fletcher feels indifferent. "You come and ask how you can help now, you could have helped by not killing my brother on October 27th, 2019," she says.
Fletcher's other sister, Radiah Fletcher, says the Confederate monument being taken down outside the Madison County Courthouse brings some hope, but as for Dana's case.
"Do I think it plays in the favor of this case. Probably not so much. We're going to have to continue to apply our own pressure," she says.
[WEB EXTRA FROM FLETCHER FAMILY]
