Birmingham Justice League Temporarily Halts Hoover Protests

HOOVER, AL - The Birmingham activist group, the Justice League, met with Hoover city leaders Tuesday to discuss the ongoing protests in the city over the Thanksgiving night death of Emantic "EJ" Bradford, and a statement by the group indicates the talks were productive in finding common ground.

The Justice League stated they are calling for a press conference Wednesday, December 19 to discuss their dialogue and lay out a framework for a better working relationship between citizens and law enforcement.

Protesters have convened throughout the city nightly to demand justice and to demand that the video footage of EJ Bradford's shooting be released. Since Bradford's death, multiple protests have been held in Hoover - including the Galleria, outside Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato's home, Sam's Club, Walmart, Buffalo Wild Wings and on Interstate 459, where protests briefly shut down traffic at the Interstate 65 interchange. Last Thursday night, a group of about 60 took their protest to Ross Bridge and later the YMCA on Highway 150 at South Shades Crest Road.

Video footage of the shooting has, however, been viewed by Bradford's attorneys. The protests have recently resulted in arrests, as they have progressed from peaceful marches to what police have determined to be disruptive demonstrations.

Related Story: More Arrests Made In Hoover Protests

The Justice League reported that they will "join the Bradford family in calling for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to return authority of the investigation, and the determination of any possible prosecution(s), to Jefferson County by allowing Bessemer cut-off District Attorney Lynneice Washington to be in charge of the EJ Bradford case."

Marshall took over the case last week, amidst some criticism from Bradford's family attorney, Ben Crump. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Bradford and his friend Brian Wilson were involved in an altercation at the Riverchase Galleria Thanksgiving night, and the altercation led to shots being fired. When a Hoover police officer arrived at the scene, he reportedly shot Bradford, who was holding a gun. Initial reports said Bradford was the shooter, but that was determined through the investigation to be false.

The suspect in the shooting, 20-year-old Erron Brown, was captured in Georgia by U.S. Marshals. Charles Salvagio, who is representing Brown, filed a routine discovery motion along with a special request for all video evidence. Salvagio maintains that Brown is innocent.

The Justice League stated they will continue to resume pleas that video footage be released to the public as "we fear that at this point, the tapes may have been compromised or worse."

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch