Protesters call for Sheriff Chad Bianco’s removal
A group of protestors gathered at the steps of the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside to ouster Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Protestors chanted “Black Lives They Matter Here," "Bianco has got to go," “No more Bianco." They said they want justice for all our inmates.
“This is the time to say we want justice for people that are incarcerated not just here but all over the United States," said a protestor.
The call for change goes beyond the death of George Floyd. It’s for the current living conditions our inmates face during the pandemic.
“It is not the same size as one bedroom in there," said Erica Smith. "We know he’s not being forthcoming about whats happening in there and that concerns us because the people that are in there, their lives matter too.”
Marita Person came to be the voice for her husband:an inmate who tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Before he really got sick the second time, he asked them to re-test him and people told him it cost too much," said Person. "The cost of costing it too much was my husband ending up in a hospital for code blue twice.”
We asked the Sheriff's Department for comment on these inmate coronavirus concerns. They did not respond on that issue, but Sheriff Chad Bianco did address it in a Facebook video from April:
"Sick inmates are receiving constant quality care from our doctors and nurses, all of our inmates were provided masks and are asked to practice good hygeine and social distancing," said Bianco.
Demonstrators showed a moment solidarity by laying on the ground.
“Just because you have been incarcerated doesn’t mean you don’t have a voice anymore," said Smith.
Protestors also want awareness on the department policies
“Responsible release people so that means release them back to their homes or transitional housing or into programs," said Smith.
On Wednesday, the sheriff's department suspended the use of the carotid restraint control hold also known as the chokehold.
“Thats headed in the right direction but thats like one rice krispie in a whole box of rice krispie that not going to collectively change the system," said Smith.
