Calling Music Therapists
We recently received a message from Dea C. Lott, the coordinator of the Justice for Herman Whitfield III campaign and close family friend of Herman Whitfield III and his parents, requesting support for a musical demonstration in Indianapolis, IN on April 22nd, 2023. Details about Herman’s death follow (Content Warning for descriptions of police violence), with more information about the type of support being requested.
About Herman Whitfield III
The Justice for Herman Whitfield III campaign arose after the brutal police homicide of Herman on April 2022 in Indianapolis. Briefly, Herman III, who was not violent or threatening anyone, experienced a mental health crisis and his mother called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical care for Herman. Instead, six Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers showed up and electrocuted Herman by taser and suffocated him in his living room and in front of his parents, Herman Whitfield, Jr. and Gladys Whitfield. More information and details about the campaign's demands are available at the campaign website and GoFundMe page.
Demonstration Details
In life, Herman III studied Composition, Piano Performance, and Political Science and shared his gifts to become an award-winning pianist and composer. To mark the date of Herman's brutal death 1 year ago, the Justice for Herman Whitfield III campaign is holding a musical demonstration to uplift Herman's spirit, unite as a community to support his family, and persist in the demands for some semblance of worldly justice for Herman III, his family, and the entire Indianapolis community. The campaign recognizes that spirituality, grieving, healing, and wellness are vital for supporting impacted families and communities, community unity, and social change for societal health. BMTN is looking for volunteer music therapists that will be willing to participate in this musical demonstration and provide musical care and support to the community still demanding justice for Herman’s death. Please let us know if you are available and willing to participate by sending an email to bmtn@blackmtnetwork.org with the subject line RE: Herman Whitfield III. Additional meetings will be held this month to support BMTN’s collective effort so responses by April 7th would be appreciated.
In solidarity,
Natasha and Marisol
Community Partnerships
Black Music Therapy Network Inc