Police Juror's Protest Comments Angers Black Community

Update: Clampit Apologizes Over Comments Furor

District B Ouachita Parish Police Juror Jack Clampit issued an apology one day after he was heavily criticized by a delegation of African-American men over his comments about looting during protests following the death of George Floyd. The world has seen disturbing videos of Floyd dying at the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer while Floyd pleading for his life, was restrained on the ground. Clampit in a statement Tuesday (June 2) said that he “apologize for a comment that he “didn’t proof read”, and that it “came out wrong”. Clampit said that he “should have written it differently. Clampit also said that he “was concerned” for business owners, and that he apologizes and “ask for forgiveness from those I offended”.

District B Ouachita Parish Police Juror Jack Clampit is a man who speaks what’s on his mind. A weekend Face Book post by Clampit proposing his solution to looters at public protest “is simple” Don’t arrest or tear gas them, just “Choot them” is Clampit’s solution. Ordinary people know what Choot means, and it is not to join them. However, Clampit may have under estimated the backlash that his words would generate against him from a community that would expect that an elected official who represents black people as well as whites, would think twice before writing such a tweet. During Monday regularly scheduled meeting (June 1) of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, Clampit sat and listen from six African-American men who voiced their displeasure in sharp, but measured words to him. Elijah Brass, a resident of District B reminded Clampit of the racial tensions that exists in the nation over George Floyd’s and other African-Americans dying at the hands of white police officers. Residents that want to address the police jury on a variety of issues get to voice their concerns during the early part of the meeting, so that they won’t have wait until the end to voice their concerns. Jury President Shane Smiley elected to conduct the meeting in its entirety (never done) knowing that those wanting to speak, wanted to direct their words to Clampit. Brass said that Clampit’s actions/words “were an offense” of someone who holds public office, and his words were “counterproductive”. He would be the first to ask for Clampit to apologize and resign. Brass also echoed his words at a protest outside of Ouachita Parish Courthouse concerning Clampit.

Brass was followed by Monroe City Council candidate Trandon Welch, District B residents Larrise Rollins and Rodney Welch, as they questioned what was in Clampit’s heart to write words that had racial overtones especially when he refers to the looters as “thugs”, most of them black he noted in other posts. Clampit was critical of Kolin Kaepernick for taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, though he was protesting about what now has the world’s attention stemming from a police killing in Minneapolis. Rev. John Sewell, a well-known pastor, added a personal element in his comments while addressing Clampit. While not accusing Clampit of “malice in his heart”, Sewell spoke of when he knew the juror as a much younger person and the relationship that he had with Clampit and former District B Juror Mack Calhoun, whom Clampit replaced. He asked that Clampit make “a sincere apology” if he doesn’t resign. Sewell closed by saying that “lives are important, they are human beings”.

Newly elected District D and F Jurors Michael Thompson and Lonnie Hudson respectively, made passionate statements condemning Clampit’s comments both saying that people, especially elected officials are to be held accountable for their words and actions. Thompson said that he ran for office as a police juror, and that when “one says something that is not right, does not make it right”. Hudson said, “we(jurors)do not need tension, as we are supposed to be a unit”, and that he “loves his home, parish and state”, and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. Clampit’s fellow white jurors did not speak with the compassion as the others, but Dist. A Juror Scotty Robinson said that he “disagrees with Clampit’s comments, and he should apologize. Jury President Shane Smiley (Dist. E) said that “prayers are needed” in the community and for the leaders because “tensions are high”, and hope that things get better before they get worse. Clampit didn’t respond to any of the those that addressed him, only saying that he would have something to say soon. When asked by this reporter if he could do things all over again, would he do anything different, Clampit said “yes” he would, adding that he “is not a racist”.