There was a lot of conflict yesterday in Crowley.
First, a group led a march through town to protest what they say was police brutality against a local man.
Then, that group went to the City Council meeting with their signs and complaints; but there was conflict among councilmen as well, which caused the meeting to be temporarily halted.
Two councilmen had words during a discussion about the city's budget. During the meeting, Vernon Martin and Lyle Fogleman Jr. could be seen exchanging words and gestures. Chief Jimmy Broussard intervened. Eventually, the council did vote to approve the budget - more than a month after the fiscal year began.
The group of protesters were hoping to call attention to the case of Edward Troy Yokum Jr., who was booked into the Acadia Parish jail on October 12. They say Yokum is a victim of police brutality.
"This is not a black versus white thing. This is a right vs. injustice thing. And this is us saying that if everybody comes together and stops this genocide on black people by then police, then we would stop the genocide on all people by the police," said Devon Tre Norman, a protest leader.
Acadia Parish jail records show Yokum, 23, was booked on a warrant for domestic abuse/aggravated assault; on a warrant for domestic abuse/child endangerment; with resisting arrest and on a bench warrant for failing to appear for court. His mug shot shows injuries to his face, including what appears to be staples in a cut on his chin:
Sheriff KP Gibson tells us Yokum was arrested after deputies pulled over a vehicle that was in violation of a Hurricane Delta curfew on October 12. Deputies had run his name for warrants and were preparing to impound the vehicle when Yokum ran, Gibson says. Deputies used a taser on him, and he was injured when he fell on the pavement. He was transported to the hospital, where he was examined, treated and released, and then deputies took him to jail and booked him.
Gibson said the incident is under review, because any time force is used by his deputies that results in an injury that sends someone to the hospital, that incident is fully reviewed. He said he hopes to have more information tomorrow.
