Several Black Lives Matter groups calling for Rochester mayor, police chief to resign

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Several groups under the Black Lives Matter movement are now calling for the immediate resignation of both Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and Police Chief La’Ron Singletary. They say they can no longer put their trust in these two leaders.

Members of the Community Justice Initiative were joined by Black Lives Matter and Free The People Roc. The group wants Warren out of office, calling her "disingenuine."

"A traitor to the Rochester Black, and Brown community, and can no longer be entrusted to lead our city, and we demand her resignation immediately," Holliman said.

Black Lives Matter Ashley Gantt added, "The mayor or the chief of police have never one time reached out to the family to offer their condolences. To see if they were okay. To give them any updates on this investigation. If there was even an investigation happening."

Following their press conference, United Christian Leadership Ministry President Rev. Lewis Stewart held one of his own saying, "This has got to stop. We can no longer tolerate rogue, racist cops killing our people."

Stewart said Prude needed therapeutic intervention. Instead, what he got was an execution. He called the video of Prude’s interaction with police horrific.

"We watched in horror at the video footage, which clearly depicted three officers who placed a bag over Mr. Prude’s head," said the Reverend.

Stewart isn’t asking for resignations yet. He’s seeking a better solution.

"If those in authority cannot give us justice, they will remember at the voting polls, and impose our own brand of justice. The people’s justice," Stewart said.

Thursday afternoon Mayor Warren did not address the calls for her resignation during her news conference, but she announced the suspension of seven officers with pay.

News10NBC also reached out to Singletary earlier about the call for him to resign but have yet to hear back.