PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Dozens of supporters came together on the steps of Portsmouth City Hall Sunday afternoon chanting, “Reinstate Chief Greene.”
The rally was the third one since Police Chief Angela Greene was put on paid administrative leave on Sept. 4. Their message remained the same – reinstate Chief Greene.
The loyal group of supporters are standing by Green’s decision to file felony charges against more than a dozen high profile elected leaders in August.
“I want them to give her her job back, now,” said Charlene Sullins of Chesapeake.
Greene was suspended from her post three weeks ago.
Tim Anderson is a Virginia Beach attorney who organized the rally.
“What they’ve done to the chief is sidelined her,” Anderson said.
The turmoil stemmed from arrest warrants issued by police for state Sen. Louise Lucas, several NAACP members, school board members, public defenders and others in connection to destroying the city’s Confederate monument on June 10.
Part of thestatue was torn down, seriously injuring a protester.
Anderson said Chief Greene was suspended for simply enforcing the law.
“She enforced the law and when she enforces the law, she gets suspended,” he said. “That’s what happened here. What they don’t like is she enforced the law against people that have a lot of political power.”
Supporters are now raising money to hire lawyers to try and take the matter to court. A Go Fund Me site was created a day ago and by Sunday afternoon, people had donated $3,415.
Greene’s kids were also in the crowd and Chief Greene herself was looking on via video call. Greene wasn’t allowed to talk about the circumstances, but said she was doing well when News 3 asked how she was doing.
“I’m doing good,” Greene said. “Thank you.”
Greene’s son Alijah Johnson, 23, said his mom is grateful for the support.
“It’s great just seeing this many people come out here and support her,” he said.
Greene’s daughter Ajah Wright, 19, said her mom wants to be back on her post and admits there is frustration and stress over what happened.
“She definitely wants her job back,” she said. “That’s her number one goal is to come back. That’s the only thing she’s really fighting for is to be back in her position and helping the city.”
Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe told News 3 on Sunday that City Council has no say on whether to bring the chief back.
News 3 reached out to Interim City Manager LaVoris Pace but have not heard back.
Meantime, supporters said they will continue to hold rallies until some sort of action is taken.
