Protest in Tucson: an AP “Big Story”

Last week, the family of a sexual assault victim and Protect Our Defenders protested outside an Air Force Base in Arizona — calling for the removal of two officers.

Kim Hanks was assaulted by Lt. Col. Wilkerson, who was found guilty by a jury selected by the base commander. He was sentenced to a year in the jail and kicked out of the military. But that commander — a fellow F-16 pilot, Lt. Gen. Franklin, acted against his own legal counsel’s advice and overturned the conviction. And now the Air Force has transferred the assailant to continue his military career in Tucson — the hometown of his victim’s family.

Jacques Billeaud reports for the Associated Press’s Big Story on the April 25th protest:

Thursday’s 45-minute demonstration involved about 50 people who questioned why the military would transfer Lt. Col. James Wilkerson to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the southern edge of Tucson, where roughly half the woman’s family lives.

Read the article and sign our petition calling for Lt. Gen. Franklin and Lt. Col. Wilkerson’s removal from the Air Force.

Watch the video of the press conference:

Outside the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base:

Protesters outside the Air Force Base:

Miranda Petersen, Policy Advisor, Protect Our Defenders:

Dr. Shelli Hanks, Sister-in-law of Kim Hanks:

Dr. Stephen Hanks, Brother of Kim Hanks:

 

Panayiota Bertzikis, Founder, Military Rape Crisis Center:

An AP “Big Story”:

Kim came to us for support and guidance, and to demand change. We’re not going to sit back and let Wilkerson’s conduct, and Franklin’s disregard for justice, go unchallenged.

Take a stand against this injustice and show your support for the Hanks Family. Sign our petition demanding that the military remove Wilkerson and Franklin immediately!

Thank you for your support.