In the early morning hours of December 2, 1983, a man lay dying on the floor of the infamous Chattanooga Jail. This is the story of that man, his life, his death, his family, and how the struggle for justice has led to a series of victories and defeats in Chattanooga. Few people know the true story behind this struggle, because the story is at once intensely private and publicly misinterpreted. This is my attempt to tell the real story from my perspective and from the perspective of those closest to me who contributed to the fight. What has been accomplished? Where do we go from here? Who defines that direction? And what is lost or won in that definition?

Forward

According to the facts that I can witness surrounding the contacts with the Chattanooga Police Department, the experience with some of Chattanooga’s Black ministers, and some of the local leadership of Chattanooga, during our initial struggle for justice in the police murder Maxine’s father, Mr. Wadie Suttles, I feel it is very important for Maxine to write this book.

I am thrilled she is writing this book to at least expose the cover-up of her father’s murder and the lackadaisical attitude and response of some of Chattanooga’s citizens to get involved and stick with the case until justice was obtained.  By their attitude, they made a statement that police brutality is acceptable and a “way of life”  in Chattanooga.

I am reminded daily even in 2010 of the inhumane treatment of the Suttles family by the Chattanooga Police Department and the mayor, because I see the same thing happening to families all over the country.  We tried very hard to warn the people of this nation about the injustice of police brutality in Chattanooga.  I firmly believe if the people had listened then,  police brutality would not be as widespread as it is now.  As Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so often stated “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

It is my prayer that the Christian Community will accept their spiritual calling once these facts are made known and speak out for justice in the Suttles’ case.  We should not stop there.  The nation should speak out and say no more; Police brutality is a crime and it will stop. 

America, America God has shed his grace on thee. 

It is NOW  time to crown thou good with brotherhood

in America and then from sea to shining sea.

ANNIE D. THOMAS