Chicago -- Supporters of the late Walter Armstrong will rally at Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/ P.U.S.H. headquarters, 930 E. 50th Street, Chicago at 10 am, Saturday, October 15th, demanding a federal investigation into his killing by Chicago police. A press conference will convene on the steps of the building immediately following their appearance.

Armstrong, 26, the father of a 7-year-old boy and eight-months-old infant, was engaged to be married soon.

Armstrong family members and supporters angrily note glaring inconsistencies in the police account of their killing of Armstrong, such as police spokesperson Pat Camden's claim that Armstrong was wounded in the chest, a charge contradicted by both the coroner and witnesses to the police shooting.

At a south side community meeting Friday night, family members and neighbors roundly condemned the police killing as "murder," noting that after shooting him, police handcuffed the fatally wounded Armstrong rather than seeing to it that he received immediate medical attention.

Community activists say Armstrong's killing is part of a wider pattern of rampant police violence, noting an October 13th article in the Chicago Defender which reported, "As of last week, there had been 30 incidents in which a civilian had been shot by Chicago Police [since January 1st]. Ten of these incidents were fatal shootings."

Activists are appealing to all members of the public who have been victims of police brutality, and all who believe in civil rights, to join them in a community march for justice at 12 noon, Saturday, October 22. The protest will start at the scene of the police shooting, 49th and Drexel, and march to Chicago Police Headquarters at 35th Street and Michigan Avenue.

The family urgently needs support for funeral and burial expenses. All are urged to make contributions to them by sending checks to the family�s church. Please make checks payable to "Word of God Life Changing Ministries," write "Walter Armstrong Family Fund" in the memo section of your check, and mail them to 17961 Lavergne Avenue, Country Club Hills, IL 60478.

A public viewing of Mr. Armstrong is scheduled for 6 pm, Tuesday, October 18 at 46th and Greenwood, with funeral services beginning at 7 pm.

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