Philadelphia, PA – A community rally and march is being organized to demand accountability and justice for Eddie «Junito» Irizarry on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. outside Taller Puertorriqueño.
A coalition of Philadelphia community leaders is organizing this community-led event, united in pursuing justice for Junito, a cherished Puerto Rican community member whose life was tragically cut short by police officer Mark Dial on August 14. The rally will start at 4:30 p.m. outside Taller Puertorriqueño, followed by a march through north Philadelphia, including a stop where police killed Junito for a memorial dedication.
Eddie «Junito» Irizarry’s untimely death has sparked a call for justice and accountability that sounds throughout the city. Community members will gather to illuminate the ongoing issue of police violence within Black and Latinx neighborhoods. The shared objective is to demand transparency and truth from the Philadelphia Police and insist they release all officers’ body camera footage related to the incident. The community is also asking for an independent investigation to ensure that Officer Mark Dial and any other officers involved in Junito’s death are held fully accountable for their actions of the law. Furthermore, an end to the cycle of police violence afflicting communities of color is fervently called for by the communities most impacted.
Recent data provided by Mijente underscores the urgency of the cause: 1 in 10 Latinxs has experienced a police officer pointing a gun at them in their lifetime. Additionally, 72% of Latinxs believe that police treat individuals differently based on their race or neighborhood’s racial composition, whether predominantly Black, Brown, or white.
This event transcends being a mere gathering; it is a testament to unity and resistance from a community that insists on justice. The organizers urge all concerned citizens and Philadelphia residents to participate in the collective endeavor to amplify Junito’s story and draw attention to the broader issue of police violence within marginalized communities.
