Photo Essay: West Wednesday protest hits the 500 mark
Tawanda Jones did what she’s been doing ever since her brother’s 2013 arrest in Baltimore ended in his death – demand accountability. Images by photojournalist Joe Giordano.
Above: Tawanda Jones and her supporters rally at City Hall as the final stop of the West Wednesday caravan. (J. M. Giordano)
Unlike with the previous 499 West Wednesday protests, Tawanda Jones, sister of Tyrone West, decided to take the the 500th protest on the road with a dozen-strong caravan of cars winding through Baltimore to once again decry West’s 2013 death in police custody.
In July, it will be a decade since West, who was pulled over following a traffic stop, died in an ambulance following a beating by Baltimore police.
Since the 44-year-old’s death, Jones has been steadfastly organizing “West Wednesday” events at locations like the Western District police station, the State’s Attorney’s office, and the city coroner’s office.
This past week, she chose a caravan which started at Herring Run Park on Harford Road and, despite a non-fatal accident involving the lead car, ended up at City Hall, where she met with supporters.
West’s family ultimately reached a settlement with the city and state, but Jones did not accept the money so that she could continue to speak out.
That’s what the caravan this past Wednesday, and all her weekly vigils on behalf of her brother, are about, Jones told the crowd.
“We’re here to hold folks accountable.”