Mourners Gather at Funeral of Slain Airman Roger Fortson, with Chantemekki Fortson (left) and Attorney Benjamin Crump Paying Their Respects at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Friday, May 17, 2024, near Atlanta. (Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP). Img Source – Stars and Stripes
May 18, 2024 Story by: Publisher
In a poignant gathering at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, hundreds came together to honor the life of Roger Fortson, a Black senior airman tragically shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month. The somber assembly included Air Force members in full dress blues, family, friends, and sympathizers.
Colonel Patrick Dierig, addressing the congregation, expressed the widespread admiration for Senior Airman Fortson, highlighting the profound impact he had even before joining their ranks. Reverend Jamal Bryant drew parallels to the struggles of past Black servicemen like Medgar Evers, underscoring the enduring challenges faced by Black individuals in uniform.
Bryant didn’t shy away from calling for justice, bluntly labeling Fortson’s death as murder and demanding accountability for the actions that led to it. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Fortson’s patriotism and promising to ensure that his memory endures as that of an American hero.
The sentiments were echoed in a recorded message from Reverend Al Sharpton, who emphasized the irony of a young Black man fighting for a country that might not fight for him in return. The emotional ceremony concluded with military honors and heartfelt embraces outside the church.
Fortson’s grieving mother, Meka Fortson, vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, addressing Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden directly and demanding accountability for her son’s untimely death. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain contentious, with conflicting narratives between Fortson’s family and law enforcement officials.
As investigations continue, Fortson’s death stands as another tragic instance in a broader pattern of Black individuals being fatally shot in their own homes by law enforcement. With the Florida Department of Law Enforcement probing the incident and the deputy involved placed on administrative leave, the quest for justice for Roger Fortson continues amidst a backdrop of systemic injustice. Source: AP News
