SPRINGFIELD — A protest against police brutality will be held in Springfield on Friday, Oct. 21, as part of the 17th annual National Day of Protest to Stop police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation.

Organized by local groups Arise for Social Justice and Out Now, the protest will take place from 4-5 p.m. in the vicinity of Mason Square on Friday.

The protest will be followed by a spaghetti dinner and hour-long panel discussion about policing will then take place at the Wesley United Church, at 741 State Street.

The discussion will continue until 7 p.m., and will feature conversation from three local woman who will talk about the role of policing in their lives.



Several of the members of organizing groups have called attention to the recent accusations against local police officers.

Holly Richardson, of Out Now and Arise for Social Justice said that during the event organizers will call attention to "the most recent police abuse scandal involving Detective Gregg Bigda"--the Springfield police detective who threatened to plant drugs on two teen suspects, as well as "crush" their skulls.

ShaeShae Quest of Out Now added, "Our community is, again, outraged that Detective Bigda only received a 60 day suspension following such a serious violation of public trust in the threatening of two youths in this way,"



People attending the protest have been encouraged to wear black as a sign of solidarity with the national movement.