The H3AL Coalition (Highlighting Equality and Equity through Education, Advocacy and Love), formed just this year, is a healing antiracist coalition with no political, social or financial affiliation. All members are residents of, or personally vested in Sussex County. Following our work in the Summer of 2020 as the primary organizers of the local Sussex County grassroots rallies and vigils for Black Lives, we recognized the need to support antiracist work here in more substantive ways. We have a primary focus on education and community outreach. This includes creating and affirming safer Black spaces, like hosting Newton’s first Juneteenth celebration, which took place a few weeks ago on the Newton Green.

On the evening of July 4th, Gulia Dale III, a Black American Veteran and Newton resident, was shot and killed by two Newton police officers. First and foremost, H3AL prioritizes the safety, wishes, privacy, and needs of Gulia Dale III’s family as they mourn his death. As such, it is imperative that our community and county not rush to actions that may be harmful to the grieving family, as well as marginalized people in our small local community who are processing the traumatic impacts of this incident.

H3AL works directly with our community; in doing this supportive work, facts and information are invaluable. Thus far there are many aspects about this incident that H3AL finds concerning, if not alarming. We observe (at the very least) that the reporting of this police shooting is, up to this point, problematic. We ask that the Office of the Attorney General and other state and local law enforcement ensure full transparency in the investigation of this use of deadly force by Newton police.

H3AL is committed to providing space for context and nuance in the public discourse and healthful community processing and navigating of this sorrowful incident.

H3AL is concerned that specific details about this case have been released to the media that, in our opinion, have thus far served to create a narrative that does not prioritize contextualized facts.

H3AL remonstrates, vital context is crucial. Providing some key details while omitting others can potentially lead to harmful polarization in an already divided community (specifically on the subject of police use of force, and as it relates to racism), where many on the margins in our community already do not feel heard or supported by those in structural positions of power. H3AL asks that the Office of the AG and local and state law enforcement work to provide context for details released to the press in the future.

In 2020, the city of Newark had zero police shootings. By comparison, Newton is a very small town, in a much less densely populated county. It is extraordinarily rare for a law enforcement officer to discharge a weapon, much less use it for deadly force. That this ever occurred in our small community means there is healing required.

H3AL firmly believes that most use of deadly force by police can be avoided. Substantive assessment processes that include collaboration with antiracist organizations and community coalitions versed in equity and are in service of marginalized groups who are most impacted by current structures are therefore necessary for prevention and true healing. De-escalation measures and mental health professionals need to be a fully integrated part of police work. Currently there are successful police departments and cities that have instituted integrative methods that are impactful. There is a better way.

H3AL Coalition reiterates the need for accountability and a transparent investigation and communication with the public concerning this troubling police use of deadly force in a residential area on July 4, 2021.

H3AL is a healing, antiracist coalition that understands the necessity and benefits of structural assessments of all our institutions in order to support the growth and health of all in the community. H3AL prioritizes compassion and advocacy for those on the margins in communities, and we stress that through Love and listening, healthier communities are possible. We offer our support and access to resources to any in our community struggling to process the news of this incident.

Please visit our website: www.h3alcoalition.com

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