Members of the Justice for Steve Perkins movement are outraged by Councilman Hunter Pepper’s letter of support for the officers involved in the deadly shooting of Steve Perkins. They think Pepper released the letter to stir up emotions among them.
Clay Massey said, “I feel personally that his whole objective for releasing that email knowing that it was going to be leaked to the public was to get an outrage, to incite, to try to get some violence going. Because everything has been going so peacefully and we’re going to continue to be peaceful.â€
William Landers said, “His statements are in private but he’s not saying it with his whole chest in the council meetings. Like, dude, you just shouldn’t be in that seat.â€
Protestors say Pepper’s letter in support of the officers involved and mention of constant pressure from the community in Perkins’ death shows total disrespect to the family of Steve Perkins.
Vera Vergara said, “Pepper keeps talking about the pressure that's being put on, especially by people in the council meetings. That's what we're supposed to do as citizens, put pressure when we see injustice, right?â€
We reached out to Councilman Jacob Ladner and Councilman Carlton McMasters to see if they have a response to Pepper’s letter and have not heard back. Councilman Billy Jackson told WAAY 31 he has no words and Pepper’s letter does not deserve a comment from him.
Decatur City Attorney Herman Marks says he echoes the mayor’s statement, that no employment decision has been made for the involved officers and that he has no idea where Pepper got his information from.
