Social Justice Protesters Take to Streets for Charles “Chop Chop” Roundtree
Photos by B Kay Richter - Contributing Photographer- SA Sentinel.
June 7, 2019 - Downtown San Antonio
Article By: B Kay Richter - Writer, SA Sentinel
Charles “Chop Chop” Roundtree. (Photo credit: Event Facebook page.)
"No justice, no peace!" The voices of nearly 50 protesters screamed these words from the steps of the Paul Elizondo Tower located at 101 W. Nueva Street during the afternoon hours on Friday, June 7th.
Many of the protesters were friends and family members of Charles "Chop Chop" Roundtree, an 18-year-old shot by San Antonio police officer Steven Casanova on the city's West Side. According to incident reports, Roundtree was sitting on the couch with his friends at the residence located along the 200 block of Roberts Street around 1:25 a.m. on Oct. 17. Police reports show officers responding to an alleged assault at the residence.
Protesters for Roundtree were organized by several groups within the city including the family members of Marquise Jones and the Autonomous Brown Berets. Debbie Jones, the aunt of 23-year-old Marquise Jones said that while her family did not win the civil suit filed on behalf of her nephew, there is an ongoing complaint currently going through the appeals process.
"I am fighting for justice not only for him but for all the people in San Antonio which have been abused by the SAPD," Debbie Jones said. "We have a crooked police force and no one wants to admit it."
Roundtree is survived by an infant son and several other family members. His grandmother Carmelita Jones sat on the steps of the Elizondo Tower while other protesters marched in the downtown area. "He was a very happy and joyful person. He loved to make other's laugh," Carmelita said. "I miss my phone calls, especially on holidays. He was a character. If you would have seen him, he would make you laugh."