Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: VIGIL and March for Killed Lower 9th Ward Resident
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For More Information:
March 8, 2007 Michelle Shin (415) 794-7507
Family Pleas For Fair Investigation for
Lower 9th Ward Resident Shot By the
National Guard Military Police
NEW
ORLEANS, LA – On Thursday, March 8, 2007, in response to the killing of
Terry Burton, aged 53, by the National Guard Military Police, family
and community members will be holding a candlelight vigil in the Lower
9th Ward to mourn this senseless death. On March 9th, 2007 the family
is calling for a march on city hall to demand justice and
accountability.
Event 1: Candlelight Vigil for Terry Burton
When: March 8th, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: 2139 Benton St. at the corner of Miro St. in the Lower 9 th Ward
Event 2: March on City Hall
When: March 9th, 3:00 pm
Where: Front Steps of City Hall
According
the NOPD release of information to the public, at some time in the
early hours of March 8th, 2007 Terry Burton was confronted by the
National Guard when a presumed altercation took place resulting in Mr.
Burton being shot in the chest multiple times while in his home.
"There
are no bullet holes, no splattered blood, not bloody footprints in the
house and we are supposed to believe the official reports that Terry
was shot in his chest, multiple times while in his home. The story
already doesn't add up, and we demand a fair and thorough investigation
and not a cover-up. Let Justice Prevail!" stated Henry Fagen, Uncle of
Terry Burton.
In June of 2006, Mayor Ray Nagin requested the
assistance of 300 National Guard to patrol the City of New Orleans'
less populated neighborhoods. Included in the area designated for
patrol by the National Guard is the Lower 9th Ward. The stated
intention of the additional patrol was to protect property from
looters. It needs to be included in the Guards' mission statement to
protect the property owners as well. However, it continues to be a
contentious issue to have military personnel patrolling the streets of
a United States city as if it were a war zone.
"Terry was not
a violent person, he was a person who preached love and tolerance. He
was a man suffering from an untreated mental illness and had been
actively seeking assistance, but with the lack of mental health
resources available in the city he was left with no help. This was a
man who had a knowledge base out of this world and had so much to
offer, he just had a hard time communicating with other people
sometimes because of his illness. It was probably what created the
confusion with the National Guard," stated friend and neighbor Louis
Keller, Jr.
