Marchers rally to remember Matthew Folden, call for reforms

Friends of Matthew Folden, who was shot and killed by a Wenatchee Police Officer in July, held a march in downtown Wenatchee Wednesday morning.  The march organizer Kenzie Converse says the rally was organized to raise awareness of Initiative 940 and give Folden's friends a positive outlet for their grief

The proposed Inititiative would change standards for use of deadly force, adding a “good faith” standard and independent investigation.  It would also require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental-health, and first-aid training and provide first-aid at the scene.

31 year old Matthew Folden died July 27 when he was shot by a Wenatchee police officer Albert Gonzalez outside a Wenatchee supermarket.  Converse who was a friend of Matthew Folden says the rally will hopefully draw attention to the De-Escalate Washington effort which bears the slogan "building bridges between communities and police" on it's website

After the march through downtown and past the Police station, supporters gathered in Centennial Park to hear speakers and music.