Pubdate: Fri, 29 Aug 2003
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162
Author: Renee C. Lee

DALLAS RESIDENTS PROTEST POLICE FIRING

DALLAS - About 50 protesters upset over the firing of Dallas' first black 
police chief marched to city hall Friday and demanded the removal of the 
mayor and city manager.

Some in the crowd shouted "Amen" as rally organizer Darren Reagan listed 
demands, including the recall of Mayor Laura Miller and the removal of City 
Manager Ted Benavides.

The protesters accuse the two of orchestrating the dismissal of Chief 
Terrell Bolton. His four-year tenure was marked by controversy, including 
lawsuits by demoted commanders and a scandal in which officers allegedly 
planted fake drugs on innocent people. Benavides has said the chief was 
fired because of his performance.

"We're here because of the public lynching of the Dallas' first 
African-American police chief," Reagan said.

Reagan, chairman of the Black State Employees Association of Texas, called 
on the City Council to negotiate a severance package for Bolton. The ousted 
chief, a 23-year veteran of the force, was not offered severance but will 
get $68,000 for unused vacation and sick days.

At an emotional news conference at his attorney's office Friday, Bolton 
said he was ruined by the firing. "I'll never be able to get a job as a dog 
catcher," he said.

Miller plans to meet soon with black leaders to address their concerns over 
Bolton's firing, her spokesman Crayton Webb said.

"Today I don't think it would have been productive for the mayor to walk 
out in the midst of a heated rally, but there will be a day in the near 
future," Webb said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart