Protesters gathered around City Hall and the Erie County Holding Center Monday night calling for the release of Deyanna Davis, the driver of the vehicle that crashed into police on Bailey Avenue last week.
Deyanna Davis, 30, is facing multiple felony charges including aggravated assault on a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon, after driving a car that injured three police officers June 1.
One of the protest's leaders, Myles Carter, who was tackled last week during an interview with WIVB, believes it was an accident.
Speaking with Miles Carter on why he’s out tonight—
— NicholasLippaWBFO (@NicholasLippa) June 8, 2020
He wants to see Deyanna Davis set free. Says what happened was an accident and how she was treated was inhumane.
He later adds, “This country cares more for dogs than they do for the black people of this country.” @WBFO pic.twitter.com/gJChab2NaL
“She was shot eight times during that incident, before and after hitting the officers, from what we understand. She was taken to ECMC where she received emergency surgery," Carter said. "She was released early Tuesday morning and within 24 hours, she was at the Erie County Holding Center.”
Carter said Davis' immediate transfer with wounds to the Erie County Holding Center was inhumane given what he described as the jail's track record.
“The Erie County Holding Center is a disgusting cesspool of filth. That is no place for any human being let alone Deyanna Davis, a mother of four, who just got out of surgery. That’s no place for her to be. She should be at home, healing with her family,” he said.
Davis’ family, including her children, sister and mother were at the protest. Her mother took time to address the crowd.
“My baby is sitting there with bullet wounds in her and I know they can’t give her the same care that I can give. Let my baby come home and let me take care of my baby,” she said to applause.
The family marched with the group behind the Holding Center where they chanted in hopes Davis could hear them.
“Tell my sister I love her,” Davis’ sister screamed. “I love you, Deyanna!"
Protestors said they plan to keep showing up every night until action is taken. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said last week the incident is currently under investigation.
