POLITICS

Maria Hamilton, 'Mothers of the Movement' to appear at the Women's March on Washington

Ashley Luthern
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Maria Hamilton, whose son was killed by a Milwaukee police officer in 2014, will participate in the Women's March on Washington this weekend with other members of "Mothers of the Movement."

Maria Hamilton (far left) and other mothers who lost children to gun violence or after contact with police appeared at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Hamilton's son, Dontre Hamilton, was killed by Milwaukee police in 2014.

According to organizers of the march, the other "Mothers of the Movement" participating include Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; and Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner.

The Women's March will take place Saturday, the day after Donald Trump is sworn in as president. Hamilton and "Mothers of the Movement" supported his opponent, Hillary Clinton, during the election and appeared at the Democratic National Convention last summer.

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"The new president, like all those elected to public office, is responsible to represent the interests of all citizens of this country," Hamilton said in a news release.

"He would do well to remember that we expect him to uphold this civic and moral obligation, to work to bridge the divisions widened over the course of the campaign, and to begin to create a government that works for all," she said. "America can’t be ‘great’ until it is great for everyone.”

Hamilton's 31-year-old son, Dontre Hamilton, was fatally shot by a police officer at Red Arrow Park. The officer, Christopher Manney, was fired for his actions leading up to the shooting, but not for his use of force, and did not face state or federal criminal charges.

Mothers of the Movement has planned a balloon release the evening of the inauguration to remember their children, including Dontre whose birthday is the same day.