Protests over killing of black teen by white police continue in Madison

Americans have again taken to the streets to protest against the fatal shooting of an unarmed African American teenager by a white police officer in Madison, Wisconsin.

On Friday night, 45-year-old Matt Kenny shot 19-year-old Tony Robinson who later surrendered to his injuries at hospital. Madison’s police Chief Mike Koval acknowledged that the teenager was unarmed.

The protests over the deadly incident continued on Sunday for the third day in Madison, amid growing anger against the discrimination of minorities by white police officers.

The demonstrators marched through the streets of the city toward the capital building, carrying signs, beating drums and chanting, “The people united will never be defeated.”

They were carrying signs that read, “Black Lives Matter” and “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot”. A group of protesters was also chanting in unison and grief, “Black lives matter.”

“This has to stop, and we can stop it,” said Craig Spaulding, a friend of the Robinson family.

Standing outside the home where the black teenager was shot, Spaulding told NBC News there have been “mounting tensions” between the community and police for years.

Similar demonstrations were also held in Madison on Friday and Saturday.

Police brutality as well as the racial profiling of minorities by US law enforcement agencies has become a major concern in the United States.

The killing of several unarmed black men by white police officers in recent months and decisions by grand juries not to indict the officers triggered large-scale protests across the US.

There is also widespread racial disparity in the US criminal justice system. According to a study by the Sentencing Project research group, one in three black males are likely to be sentenced to prison sometime during their life. The figure for white men is one in 17.

In addition, a recent poll found a significant distrust of police in the United States, where many Americans believe police target minorities unfairly and often lie for their own interests.

Addressing a commemorative ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama on Saturday, US President Barack Obama said America’s “racial history still casts a shadow”.

“We just need to open our eyes, and ears, and hearts, to know that this nation’s racial history still casts its long shadow upon us,” Obama said.

“We know the march is not yet over, the race is not yet won, and that reaching that blessed destination where we are judged by the content of our character – requires admitting as much,” he added.