Hundreds march in protest of IMPD teen beating

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Hundreds of people marched on the City-County Building Monday, calling for peace in the streets and for a city of respect.

Alluding to the biblical story of the Battle of Jericho, organizers led protestors around the city government building seven times.

The Baptist Minister’s Alliance organized the march. Alliance leaders are calling for charges to be filed against all the IMPD officers involved in the beating of 15-year-old Brandon Johnson .

Johnson was beaten outside his east side home May 16. Officers arrested him for resisting, but charges were never filed. Of the five IMPD officers involved, the police chief has recommended one be terminated.

“The incident puts us all in the position to ask the question, who committed the crime?” said Bishop T. Garret Benjamin.

The protest comes one day after the Reverend Al Sharpton spoke out about the beating.

The clergy members are also irate with the mayor. They say he is ignoring their requests to sit down together.

Brandon Johnson attended the rally and March. He talked to 24-Hour News 8, but said he could not comment on the police beating.

“I'm healing up just fine. I'm doing better everyday,” said Johnson.

Johnson added that things have gotten harder for him.

“Keep going on day by day. It gets tougher,” said Johnson.

Organizers say there is much to be done to improve community relations with IMPD in light of the beating.

Those that walked are hopeful their actions will make a difference.

“It is a peaceful march and it is for the young man. It is also for justice for everyone,” said Donna Williams who took part in the march.