Socialist Party protests against LaFrance’s inauguration over police-involved shootings

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Socialism and Liberation Party protested Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s July 1, 2024 inauguration, demanding the release of bodycam videos of police-involved shootings in recent weeks and the creation of a civilian oversight committee.

The group began their protests in downtown Anchorage, just feet from where Mayor LaFrance’s inauguration took place at Town Square Park. After the inauguration ceremony concluded, the group moved to Town Square Park and continued their protests.

Community activist Michael Patterson said the group has presented a proposed contract to the Anchorage Assembly and Mayor LaFrance to create civilian oversight of law enforcement. In a statement on Instagram, the group explained that the oversight contract is intended to provide scrutiny of police actions and provide more transparency to the community.

“I don’t care that we ruined their inauguration,” Patterson said. “There are families that don’t have a brother or a son or a husband or a father that shows up for dinner. Compared to the excitement that these people have here today, compared to the families that have lost loved ones because they were killed by APD, it doesn’t even compare.”

Ahmed Hassan, the brother of Bishar Hassan, who was shot and killed after police say he pointed a BB gun at police officers in 2019, attended the demonstration and spoke about his brother. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently dismissed the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family. They vow to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ahmed Hassan expressed his anger at the police and demanded justice for his brother and others killed in police-involved shootings.

Patterson said he has not yet received a response from LaFrance or the assembly on the agreement. LaFrance addressed the protesters in her inaugural speech.

“I want to recognize the people here who are exercising their First Amendment rights,” LaFrance said during her inauguration ceremony. “I am very grateful to live in a country where freedom of speech and expression exists, and I am committed to being mayor for all of Anchorage. That means listening and participating in conversations about the direction of our community.”

Patterson expressed hope that the protest would highlight the importance of the audit committee.

“This is just a small taste of what the families have been going through for years,” Patterson said. “So work with us. Mayor LaFrance needs to work with the community to get us an independent police review board.”

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