Like any other day, Alton Sterling was selling CDs outside of his local store. He had been selling them to everyone in town for six years. The owner and him were really good friends. Around town, Alton was known the cool, smooth-talking, natural salesman. Everyone loved him and he was very friendly to the members of his community. Alton would make mixes for his customers, who he befriended. That's how he made a living to support his wife and kids. However, this particular night would change the Sterling family, their town of Baton Rouge, and the entire country.
The following videos contain extremely graphic content of Alton Sterling being pinned down and shot six times in the chest by two police officers.
That night an amazing man, father and husband lost his life... Before the incident, a "homeless man" called 9-1-1 on his cellphone. He reported a man, who was selling CDs, having possession of a gun. Alton only had the legally-owned pistol for a few days. The store owner knew that Alton only had the small firearm because of reports of thieves robbing local vendors in the area. Once the police arrived they didn't ask questions. The officers pinned Alton to the ground. In the confusion, Alton started to squirm. He was wondering why the police were doing this to him when Alton knew he did nothing wrong. The police told him to stay still or there would be serious consequences. Alton listened to the officers and stopped moving, but his calmness did not stop the officers' reactions. Alton's firearm was in his front pocket, and so the police officer felt the gun with his knee. Even though Alton's hands were nowhere near the weapon, the officer fired his gun. They repeatedly shot Alton in the chest until he bled out and died on the scene...
Alton Sterling should not have died that night; he will never be forgotten. What happened to him has opened the eyes of people all over the country. Men and women are standing up for the injustices that have been happening for decades. Only recently, due to cameras being almost everywhere, has the world gotten a glimpse of the epidemic that has been happening in America. Alton Sterling was the 558th person to be killed by the police this year. Yet, some folks are still trying to justify Alton's wrongful death.
In 2009, Alton got in some trouble with the police for possessing a firearm near marijuana. So, some people are saying that this made him be seen as a threat to the police. I highly doubt that Alton Sterling would ever lay a hand on anyone. He was just a family man helping his wife and kids live a happy life. Alton was an innocent man who should have not been executed for the color of his skin. Some people may only see Alton as "just another black man," but he was so much more than that! He is an American hero, a loving father, and a kind-hearted human being.
Close your eyes and imagine someone you know dying this way. Wouldn't you want justice? Enough is enough! If you'd like to help the Sterling family, you can donate here. Money may not bring their father back, but it can give Alton's kids a good education. I hope that they grow up knowing that their dad made a difference in this world. Change doesn't happen unless we, the people, do something about it. Fear and hatred have been fueling tragedies like Alton's for so long; it must to come to an end.
