Another police brutality protest planned in downtown Dallas
One of the activist groups that was protesting police brutality on the night when five Dallas officers were killed in an ambush is planning another march in downtown Dallas this week.
With the march being planned for Friday, some are questioning the time and say it's simply too soon. The plans for another demonstration against police brutality are just a few blocks from the site of the ambush.
At a Next Generation Action Network meeting Tuesday night, David Villalobos said the group postponed a similar rally last week at the request of the Dallas Police Association.
"There is going to be no perfect timing, but we cannot wait until another Alton Sterling or Jose Cruz tragedy happens," said Villalobos. "The eyes on the world are on Dallas right now. We need to continue our message: We are not against officers. We are against police brutality."
DPA President Ron Pinkston said even with a one-week delay, he'd like to see officers get more time.
"It's 'cause the officers were stressed. They hadn't had much rest," Pinkston said. "They haven't had any time to heal, and that needed to take place."
Michael Walton, president of the Dallas Fraternal Order of Police agreed it's too soon.
"There's nothing that says you can't protest, we will be there," Walton said. "Just take a step back, take a deep breathe, let us mourn our people and you can come back in and do what you need to do."
At a 'Run for the Blue' race in Dallas on Thursday, runners at the event called the timing of the rally tacky and in poor taste.
"We are not behind that," said runner Michael Edelstein. "By them being silent and doing it the next day, which is kind of soon, shows they don't care."
"I don't think there's any reason to hold a rally like that," said runner Diane Shwart. "I just don't."
The Dallas Police Department said they are "fully aware" of this Friday's march and are preparing to have the necessary resources in place to protect both demonstrators and officers.
"We lost five officers, and that's never happened before," said Pinkston. "That will be in the back of our officers' mind when he's out there."
Next Generation Action Network condemned the actions of Micah Johnson. During the march, the group plans to stop at the Belo Garden Park to honor and remember the five slain Dallas officers
The march is set to begin at 6:30 pm. The group is asking demonstrators to engage in a 'silent march' -- no chants and no shouting.