Families demand answers taking black lives protest to Milwaukee Co. district attorney

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The call of justice for black lives came from Milwaukee families on Saturday, June 13.

And they faced a top county leader looking for answers.

"We want a rescind of bail for Officer (Michael) Mattioli for the murder of Joel Acevedo, and immediate remand to custody," Black Educators Caucus Chair Angela Harris said.

This group came with a clear set of demands.

“And if those demands are not met everybody that is marching this street right now will march with me in the polls to vote him out,” Harris added as she led the group of protesters.

Parents, children and supporters at the home of Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.

Chisholm recounted their requests as he spoke.

“Demand number four, decriminalization of drugs," he said.

“The first thing we do is look to get people into treatment," he explained.

Chisholm answered questions and later talked with CBS 58 about some efforts over his 14 years as D.A.

“Objectively there’s been some huge changes, the number of people that are in jail is dramatically lower, the number of people in prison is dramatically lower," he added.

Saturday’s "Wee Chalk Your Walk" rally started at a nearby park.

Families chalked words and pictures on sidewalks in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“We want to teach the kids, young, that some of the things are not okay," Jammel Adams said.

Adams shared this moment with his seven-year-old daughter Mia.

“It’s important to love Black people too," Mia said.

And parents also said it’s important to have these types of social justice talks with their children.

“It’s not a political issue, it’s not anything that’s this or that, it’s a human issue," said Kelly Heipel, with her young daughter at her side. “We talk about, in our family, just how everyone is equal and you base people on how they treat you.

The group also demanded the district attorney's office review new evidence in the death of Alvin Cole.

 The 17-year-old was shot by a Wauwatosa officer in February.

Chisholm addressed this on site saying his office is continuing to investigate the case.