On August 5, 2024, dozens gathered for the Wayne City Council meeting to demand justice for John Zook Jr., a Wayne resident who was killed by police after calling 911 for help during a mental health crisis. Though true justice would entail Johnny never having been a victim of the racist police system, his community made the following demands in response to his murder:
RELEASE THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE, RELEASE THE NAMES AND RECORDS OF THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN JOHN’S MURDER, AND PROSECUTE THOSE OFFICERS.
Family, friends, and neighbors — including John’s father, his fiancee, and his brother — shared how much Johnny meant to them; and their expressions of sadness and rightful anger highlighted the depth of Johnny’s connection to his loved ones and their commitment to him. People from surrounding cities, many of whom never had the pleasure of meeting Johnny, also came to speak during public comment to stand with the community he was stolen from as they continue to grieve and fight. Speakers directly called out misconduct by Wayne police and emphasized the way police uphold white supremacy through their historic targeting of Black and brown communities.
Many of the comments were accompanied by the sounds of people chanting and drumming outside. “We want justice, you say how? Release the bodycam footage now!” “Release the video! These killer cops have got to go!”
After just under two hours of public comment, all but one council member still opted to ignore their constituency. Those in attendance erupted into a spontaneous protest, chanting in the city council chamber. The group made its way outside to the various building exits. One cowardly council member, who left early, was unable to back out of her parking spot due to protestors blocking her in. By this time, several Wayne police officers had already arrived, with one even bringing out a police dog to intimidate the crowd into allowing her to escape the sounds of her own inaction.