Detroit activists intensify call for state police head to resign

(WJBK) - The director of Michigan State Police called the NFL players who kneel during the national anthem "ingrates" and "degenerates."

And now the growing calls for Kriste Etue to step down are growing.

They've been calling for her resignation and now Detroit clergy and community activists boarded a bus to head to a meeting with the head of Michigan State Police.

"She has no credibility at all," said Rev. David Bullock, activist. "She is supposed to protect our rights as citizens. Not call citizens who are exercising their rights degenerates."

Detroit's activist pastors are meeting with state police Col. Kriste Etue - to tell her in person what they've been telling others for weeks calling for her to resign.

"We just want justice to be done," Bullock said. "I hope that she will have the heart and see the wisdom of how her resignation could restore faith in law enforcement and she can be a part of bringing communities together instead of being divisive."

Close to 60 members of the Detroit community boarded a bus for Michigan State Police headquarters - making the trip to ask for the colonel's resignation - concerned about Etue's Facebook post for which she apologized.

That meme called those who take a knee during the anthem degenerates. This came just weeks after a state police trooper tased a teenager during a police chase in Detroit. That teen, Damon Grimes, was thrown from his ATV and killed.

"An apology does won't bring Damon Grimes back," Bullock said. "An apology does not restore dignity to the so-called degenerates."

"This is not about name calling," Rev. W. J. Rideout said. "This is about the consequences of her being who she is, and showing that she does not care about human beings, period."

The colonel, with the backing of Gov. Rick Snyder, has been steadfast in her refusal to resign.

"I am not resigning," she said recently.

It is position she maintained during her 45 minute meeting with the pastors on Monday.

"The colonel does not want to resign, very stubborn," Bullock said. "We suggested she take a leave of absence.

"If you are not racially sensitive, how can you bring racial sensitivity to the Michigan State Police?"

"I think that she really did hear the cries of the community," said D. Etta Wilcoxon, activist. "And I think she will give consideration to the recommendations."

A state police spokesperson says the colonel was able to take away some ideas from the private meeting and hopes they were able to take away some things as well.