Calls for justice are intensifying following the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who was pinned to the ground by security guards at a Milwaukee hotel. The incident, which occurred on June 30, has become a focal point in the ongoing national conversation about race and the perceived systemic brutality faced by Black individuals at the hands of law enforcement and authority figures. This tragedy comes four years after the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis, an event that sparked global protests against racial violence and police misconduct.
As thousands of GOP supporters and protesters prepare to gather in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, the demand for justice in Mitchell’s case has taken center stage. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who also represented the family of George Floyd, emphasized the significance of Mitchell’s death, stating that it is equally important as any other event taking place in Milwaukee this month. Crump, along with a team of lawyers, is representing Mitchell’s family and has called for charges to be filed against those responsible for his death.
According to reports, Mitchell died at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee after four security guards held him down on his stomach. Police have stated that Mitchell entered the hotel, caused a disturbance, and engaged in a struggle with the guards as they attempted to escort him out. The preliminary cause of death, as determined by the medical examiner’s office, was homicide, although the investigation is ongoing, awaiting full autopsy results. No criminal charges have been filed thus far.
During a news conference, Mitchell’s family and their legal team revealed that surveillance video from inside the hotel depicted an unarmed man desperately trying to flee while being subjected to punches and kicks. Mitchell’s widow, DeAsia Harmon, expressed her disgust at the footage, stating that her husband was pleading to be released but was not allowed to leave. The video also allegedly showed a bleeding Mitchell being dragged outside the hotel. Additionally, the family’s legal team presented a signed affidavit from a hotel employee who witnessed a security guard striking Mitchell with a baton, asserting that Mitchell posed no threat when he was already on the ground.
Further scrutiny arose when it was revealed that an on-duty hotel security guard took a photo of Mitchell’s lifeless body while being questioned by the police. The lawyers representing Mitchell’s family condemned this action as “absolutely disgusting.” The circumstances leading up to Mitchell’s presence at the hotel and the events preceding the guards pinning him down remain unclear.
Contrary to initial reports from the Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office, Mitchell’s cousin clarified that he was not homeless. Mitchell, a Milwaukee native, was described as someone who loved to cook, was protective of his family, and had a jovial personality. The family rescheduled his funeral to Thursday to ensure that it receives the attention it deserves, separate from the overshadowing presence of the GOP convention.
As the Republican National Convention approaches, Mitchell’s family and supporters are urging attendees to address this matter and keep it in the public eye. They emphasize that justice for Mitchell should transcend political affiliations and be a concern for all. The Associated Press reached out to representatives of the convention for comment on Mitchell’s death, but no response has been received at the time of writing.
