1100 Block of Williamson Street
Madison, WI
3/6/2025
Ten years. It's been ten years since Tony Robinson was murdered by Madison, WI police officer, Matt Kenny. A family has been fighting for justice from a system that protects the officer before it protects the victim.
It was December 2014. I was photographing my first Black Lives Matter protest in Madison. It was called "Rally and Action for Eric Garner, Mike Brown, and Madison" and was to show solidarity with cities across the US who were experiencing police shooting unarmed black men. I remember thinking at the time, "This is Madison; it could never happen here." How naive I was. How privileged my thinking was. How fooled I was to think the liberal, progressive bubble I lived in was immune from this kind of violence. And violence from people wearing badges, who swore an oath to protect and to serve. I didn't realize then who the police swore that oath to; it certainly wasn't to all people, especially, it seemed, to people of color.
Since then, approximately 2,500 black people have been shot and killed by police. Add in Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, and that number nearly doubles. And these are only the ones reported. It's estimated this is only half the number of fatal shootings of people of color by police. [www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/]
Tonight, I'm witnessing Tony Robinson's family and friends as they honor his life and impact on the community and Madison. Sharon Irwin, Tony's grandmother, walks those gathered through the events of the evening Robinson was shot, highlighting inconsistencies in the story Matt Kenny gave. There is anger and sadness in her voice as she speaks. I've heard this before, and it always tears my heart. As a parent, I can only imagine how it would feel to lose a child or grandchild. As a parent, I can't imagine how it would feel to lose a child or grandchild at the hands of the police.
I heard someone say this would be the last year a memorial would be held. One can only imagine the toll it must take on those impacted by Robinson's death. Yet, potentially having it fall from people's consciousness seems wrong.
Say his name: Tony Robinson!
Note: I am not affiliated with any political organizations. I am an independent freelance photographer covering marches, protests, and rallies in Madison, Wisconsin, documenting the people's right to free speech and their right to organize.
