Sacramento community gathers to honor Stephon Clark and advocate for police reform

Eight years after Stephon Clark was shot and killed by Sacramento police in the backyard of his grandmother’s house, his family and supporters gathered at the California State Capitol to honor his memory and advocate for stronger laws to prevent deadly police shootings.Police said they thought Clark had a gun, but it was a cellphone in his hand. Although the officers were cleared in the shooting, Clark’s death led to large protests and calls for change within the Sacramento Police Department.On Wednesday, advocates gathered at the California State Capitol to remember Stephon Clark. “We’re here to prevent Stephon Clarks from ever happening again, but also honor his name in a positive light,” said Stevante Clark, Stephon Clark’s brother. “And we are going to be here every year until we die, until we get some justice and accountability, and even after we get justice and accountability we are still going to be here because other families deserve the justice and accountability as well.”Some changes did come after the shooting. Sacramento police now have a policy preventing officers from shutting off their body cameras. The department has also changed its foot pursuit policy. In 2019, California adopted a law that authorized using deadly force only “when necessary in defense of human life.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Eight years after Stephon Clark was shot and killed by Sacramento police in the backyard of his grandmother’s house, his family and supporters gathered at the California State Capitol to honor his memory and advocate for stronger laws to prevent deadly police shootings.

Police said they thought Clark had a gun, but it was a cellphone in his hand. Although the officers were cleared in the shooting, Clark’s death led to large protests and calls for change within the Sacramento Police Department.

On Wednesday, advocates gathered at the California State Capitol to remember Stephon Clark.

“We’re here to prevent Stephon Clarks from ever happening again, but also honor his name in a positive light,” said Stevante Clark, Stephon Clark’s brother. “And we are going to be here every year until we die, until we get some justice and accountability, and even after we get justice and accountability we are still going to be here because other families deserve the justice and accountability as well.”

Some changes did come after the shooting.

Sacramento police now have a policy preventing officers from shutting off their body cameras.

The department has also changed its foot pursuit policy.

In 2019, California adopted a law that authorized using deadly force only “when necessary in defense of human life.”

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel