Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jul 2002
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2002 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Diana Baldwin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

DA SEEKS COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane asked the community to join 
together at noon today to demonstrate support for the police and peace by 
turning on their vehicle headlights.

Unrest from the protest over the police treatment of Donald Reed Pete has 
Oklahoma County officials turning to the community for support, said Debbie 
Forshee, Lane's public information officer.

"The problem is we don't want to go into the weekend with one group of 
people ready to go to war on police officers," Forshee said. "We want to 
nip this in the bud now. Hate will not be tolerated in Oklahoma City."

Pete, 50, has been at the center of a national media spotlight since a 
local man videotaped his arrest Monday by officers Greg Driskill and E.J. 
Dyer. In the tape, the officers appear to strike Pete at least 27 times 
with tactical batons while attempting to handcuff him on suspicion of 
soliciting prostitution.

Police have said Pete was eating a bag of marijuana in an attempt to 
destroy evidence.

NAACP representatives called for disciplinary action against Driskill and 
Dyer, including prosecution on charges of using excessive force.
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