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Two rallies, same message: Portsmouth families want answers

Posted at 11:37 PM, May 07, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-07 23:37:10-04

Portsmouth, Va. - Monday was a busy night in Portsmouth with two organized rally's and marches for the death of two Portsmouth men killed by police and one who died while in police custody.

The first rally and march was at the Portsmouth Wal-Mart, the scene of where William Chapman was killed by police on April 22. The NAACP organized the rally and march around the parking lot. Champman's family members, local leaders and the family of Walter Brown, the man killed by police inside of his Colin Drive home in March, all spoke.

An hour after the NAACP's rally, the family of Derrick Lewis, the man who died shortly after being brought into the Portsmouth Jail held their own rally. Although the rally's and marches were separate, organizers say they stand together.

"It's supposed to be all in one but things just got a little confused so there was a lack of communication but we want to bring everyone together until we get answers and keep moving, keep moving, keep moving and we won't stop," said Angela Lewis, the wife of Lewis.

Rally organizers agree with Lewis and say that they will keep organizing and holding more of these events until they get to the bottom of what happened to their loved ones.

Related:

Timeline of the shooting death of William Chapman

Funeral held for teen shot by Portsmouth police officer

Portsmouth Police preparing for possible protests, civil disturbances

Community activist says young people are planning rallies in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Police Chief addresses investigation into recent police shootings