'Dontre Day' celebration honors Dontre Hamilton 10 years later

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- The community came together on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate the life and legacy of Dontre Hamilton.

Hamilton was shot and killed back in 2014 by a Milwaukee police officer in Red Arrow Park. Ten years later, the Hamilton family hosted a "Dontre Day" gathering, bringing the community together.

"We'll never be that family that we were in 2014 ever again," said Maria Hamilton, Dontre's mother.

Maria says losing Dontre forever changed her life. Since his death, the family has been focused on changing the community for the better.

"I'm grateful that I got a community that loves me, and I choose to love them back," Maria said. The Hamilton family has been persistent in the pursuit of change, fighting for a better community.

"Everybody out here at some point or another has supported me in my fight for Dontre," Maria said. Over the years, the Hamilton family have become strong community advocates, working towards justice and transparency.

Nate Hamilton, one of Dontre's brothers, says Dontre Day events held this weekend hold that same purpose.

"I'm excited for this community, for the opportunity for us to create an event that's resourceful – that is loving, that is fun – that is bright to enhance the future of Milwaukee." Nate said.

The support ten years later still means so much to the family. "We just are incredibly blessed and thankful to have people come out and continue to support this family in the midst of our loss...but we want it to be something positive that comes out of this," Nate said.

Among the support, a group of mothers who have suffered similar losses including Eric Garner's mother, along with Tamir Rice's mother.

Maria says she will continue to fight for justice in the name of her son.

"Dontre didn't die in vain. The fact that we're here today shows us that Dontre's legacy will live forever," she said.