Protesters gather inside Mayfair Mall, demanding justice for those killed by Wauwatosa police
Updated: 7:25 p.m. on June 24, 2020
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wednesday, June 24, marks the 27th day of protests in a row following the death of George Floyd, but instead of protesting outside, they raised their voices inside Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa.
Wednesday's protest started at Mayfair Mall and ends at the Wauwatosa Police Department.
Protesters demanded justice for three men fatally shot by Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah.
They said they wanted the mall to shut down because of the economic impact it has for Wauwatosa.
"We have an officer that killed three individuals in Wauwatosa, you know, but it's also an economic base," said organizer Khalil Coleman.
Jay Anderson Jr. was shot by Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah in 2016, and Alvin Cole was shot in February -- also by Mensah.
Mensah was also involved in the deadly shooting of Antonio Gonzalez in 2015.
"They want accountability, they want answers, they want body cameras released," said Coleman. "It's a lot of stuff that's unanswered that the family still haven't get, and we here to stand with them."
"I'm really happy that there's a lot of young people out here fighting the good fight and they're staying motivated," said Mike McGee Jr, former Milwaukee alderman and owner of 414 Hemp at Mayfair Mall.
He says it's nostalgic to see protesters shutting down businesses even though he owns one.
"It's a paradox in some respects, because you know, it's bittersweet, but I do wanna see some economic sanctions occur at the mall. Even though I have a business here, if it hurt me I'd be fine with it."
McGee says the mall has been a place of controversy, between the deadly shooting of Alvin Cole and fights in the past -- one which injured a pregnant woman last year.
"I always did wanna see this mall, which is the center of Wauwatosa and the economic power of the city, to feel the punishment economically for all the different things that have occurred."
"You know, we wanna let them all know that no business as usual and if we need to shut the mall down in order to get the attention of those that we need, then that's what we're gonna do," Coleman added.
Thursday marks the 28th day of protests.
Mayfair Mall did say while some shops closed early for the night, the mall itself was not closed. Shops still had the option to reopen their stores if they wanted to.
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Posted: 4:49 p.m. on June 24, 2020
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Protesters gathered at Mayfair Mall around 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 24.
Chants rang loudly across the mall as protesters said the names of people who have died at the hands of Wauwatosa police officers.
Stores started shutting their doors -- some closing early for the night -- as protesters made their way around.
The protesters say they want to shut the mall down for the day.
Mayfair has been a center of controversy after Alvin Cole was fatally shot by Wauwatosa police outside the mall in February.
Protesters plan on marching to the Wauwatosa Police Department Wednesday night.