Attorneys and Families for George Floyd, Anthony McClain Demand Officer Firings and Arrests in Fatal Shooting

Attorney Benjamin L. Crump during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Family members of Anthony McClain raise their hands in solidarity during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Rodney Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, gives a powerful speech during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Solemuli Afaese, left, and Diondra Williams, right, the mothers of Anthony McClain children are very emotional during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Philonise Floyd the brother of George Floyd expresses his feelings about police brutality during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Musical Icon George Clinton is a special guest during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Skilynn Williams, 2, the daughter of Anthony McClain holds her mothers hand during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Attorney Caree Harper during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

The family of Anthony McClain are overwhelmed with emotion during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Rodney Floyd the brother of George Floyd wears a mask with a picture of his brother George, for the Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Attorney Caree Harper, left, musician George Clinton, and attorney Ben L. Crump pose for pictures during Justice for Anthony McClain, a rally demanding accountability on the steps of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

George Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump led a rally at Pasadena City Hall Monday with two of Floyd’s brothers, family members including children of Anthony McClain, and co-counsel Caree Harper to demand the firing and arrests of the police officers involved in the shooting death of McClain last summer.

McClain, 32, was shot twice in the back while fleeing police during a traffic stop on North Raymond Avenue in Northwest Pasadena on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

“Just like those who killed George Floyd unjustly,” said Crump, “We want the officers who killed Anthony McClain arrested and convicted for killing Anthony McClain.”

“We’re here because, Caree Harper told me there is a pattern and practice, a history, in Pasadena, California, where they just kill black people and sweep it under the rug as if their lives didn’t matter,” Crump also told the audience.

Dozens of boisterous supporters, many carrying signs, mixed with a large media contingent of media.

Crump stood in front of City Hall backed by two of George Floyd’s brothers, Philonise and Rodney, and Brandon Williams, Floyd’s nephew, along with the children of Anthony McClain—Anthony Jr., his daughter SkyLynn, and his son Bryce—and their mothers.

“[McClain] didn’t pass of a natural cause. He was killed by a police officer that should be locked up,” said Philonise Floyd. “The man ran out of his shoes and was shot in the back.”

Deandra Williams, mother of McClain’s daughter Skylinn Williams, told the crowd that “Anthony was a great Dad, he was very hands-on, and was just talking to his daughter on FaceTime before this happened. He always told his children to leave their (mark) on the world.”

Solemuli Afaese, mother of Anthony McClain, Jr. was too overcome with grief to speak to the media and spectators.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree George Clinton also briefly spoke.

“We are a nation under one groove. We cannot let him down,” Clinton said, referring to McClain.

Several federal civil rights lawsuits have been filed by Harper and other lawyers representing other family members.

Monday’s City Council meeting was canceled ahead of the rally “out of an abundance” of caution. Addressing Pasadena City Councilmember Tyron Hampton as he stood in the audience, Crump told Hampton to make sure the Council didn’t cancel again and instead hear their demands in the future.

The City Council is currently meeting virtually and elected officials would not have been in the Council Chambers for the meeting if it had occurred.

However, the city staff needed to coordinate the meeting would have been in the building, according to Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian.

“Agenda items will more than likely roll over to May 24,” she said.

McClain was a passenger in a car that was pulled over by police last August on North Raymond Avenue near La Pintoresca Park for failing to display a front license plate.

After the driver and McClain were asked to step out of the car, McClain ran from officers. Police say McClain removed a handgun from his waistband as he fled, prompting Officer Edwin Dumaguindin to open fire. McClain continued running a short distance before tossing a handgun across the street and collapsing, according to police.

Some local residents say they don’t see a gun in body-worn camera footage of the incident. McClain family attorney Harper says flatly that McClain was not carrying a gun.

Through their attorneys, McClain’s family members have argued that the shooting was unjustified.

McClain’s DNA was recovered from a pistol that police seized at the scene, police investigators said. But family attorneys have questioned whether the gun may have been contaminated with McClain’s DNA, such as his blood, after the police shooting took place.