Calls for justice pulsed through a corner of Hampton Pines Park in North Lauderdale on Saturday as people chanted their support for a 15-year-old whose head was pounded to the pavement during an arrest by Broward Sheriff’s deputies.
Delucca “Lucca” Rolle’s mother, Clintina Rolle, called on parents to take a stand against police brutality.
“Regardless of our color, it could have been any one of our [children] that could have been on the ground,” she said, her voice trembling.
She also demanded that Deputy Christopher Krickovich and Sgt. Greg LaCerra be charged for the April 18 takedown that one witness recorded on cellphone video.
“I want the law to do the right thing [and] put those that done wrong behind bars,” she said.
Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen echoed the call for justice.
“I think a clear message has to be given to law enforcement, and that is zero tolerance of abuse and brutality,” he said to applause from the crowd of about three dozen. “Zero tolerance, and until these officers are held accountable by being fired and being criminally prosecuted, I will not rest.”
The teenager was pepper-sprayed in the face and slammed to the ground outside a McDonald’s in Tamarac after J.P. Taravella High School let out for the day.
One deputy was seen on video punching Rolle in the head and bashing his face into the pavement, leaving with him with a fractured nose.
Delucca Rolle was not at Saturday’s rally. He prefers solitude to participating in any public display of support.
“He don’t even want to hear about it,” his mother said. “He tries to [stay] locked away in his room by himself to keep away from this.”
Groups that included the Broward Alliance of Black Lives Matter and Democratic Socialists of America held up signs that read Justice For Lucca and Stop Police Violence while chanting “No Justice, No Peace,” and “The people united will never be divided” during the 30-minute rally.
Participants promised more protests in the near future.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office suspended deputies Krickovich and LaCerra, but has not released the name of a third deputy seen in the video.
Sheriff Gregory Tony has promised a thorough investigation.