BEXAR COUNTY, Texas -- Bexar County commissioners received tons of feedback from dozens of people speaking out against police brutality Tuesday. Dozens of residents including Brian Forbes publicly spoke at the monthly meeting for the first time ever to address police and social issues affecting the community.

"Ladies and gentleman, the community trust is broken as it applies to law enforcement," said Forbes. "It’s not our job as citizens alone to repair the problems that have become apparent, or had been apparent to many of us for a very long time. It’s just that now, we’re having an opportunity to see it up close."

Forbes is calling on commissioners to review law enforcement's use of force practices and taxpayer funds that go toward policing. Forbes is a book author and public speaker from Chicago who is now living in the Alamo City with his family.

 

Bexar County resident Brian Forbes stands in front of the Bexar County Courthouse in downtown San Antonio (Spectrum News)

"It’s the best time or better time than it’s ever been for us to try and put information in front of them so they can make better decisions that affect the overall public and make life better for everybody in each city," said Forbes.

It’s the same knowledge and information Forbes shares daily on his video podcast series. As Forbes continues to speak for change in public and on his social media channels, he hopes others find a way to protest for equality, too.

"I believe that without the people with the signs that are wearing out shoe leather, without the people who are willing to stand before the commission and that’s from one extreme to the other, we don’t have a movement," said Forbes. "It has to happen from all sides. Power conceives nothing without demand and until the people stand and demand, you’ll get nothing. No one with power is willing to just give it away. It’s not how this works, you have to take it. If this is what it looks like, then so be it."