On June 2 Asheville Police officers raided and dismantled a medical aid station that had been set up in downtown Asheville, NC to help anyone injured in the ongoing protests against police brutality. According to the medical staff, they had previously talked to the police and indicated their intentions to be present to serve anyone who needed it, protester or police, and were assured they could do so. They indicated they intended to remain beyond the locally imposed curfew (though medical workers are technically exempt), in order to help those who needed it, and were again told they could do so.

Immediately after curfew, however, police arrived at the station and violently shoved the volunteers with their riot shields.They then systematically destroyed every piece of medical supplies the volunteers had brought in: water bottles, hand sanitizer, towels. They did this in full view of citizens who caught the act on video. They did this to volunteers who only wanted to help. They destroyed private property, an act they are not legally entitled to do. They did all this because they didn't want aid or solace for the protesters they were about to tear gas. They did it because they thought nothing would happen to them if they did.

Police Chief David Zack issued a statement in response claiming these things were acceptable because "sometimes people throw water bottles" and because the volunteers were defying the curfew. He indicated support for these officers' actions and attempted to justify unnecessary violence and property destruction as a reasonable police response. In doing so, he has violated his oath of office and revealed his support for a climate of police brutality. He is clearly not fit to lead the Asheville Police Department. We sign this petition to request that City Council and the City Manager immediately fire Chief Zack.