The family of Alton Sterling is inviting the community to mourn with them on Friday, July 15 at a public funeral held at Southern University. The services will be held at the F. G. Clark Activity Center, which will provide seating capacity for about 4,500 people. BET’s Sunday Best Winner and Soul singer Amber Bullock will sing at the funeral.
Other special invited guests includes The Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond who are among the scheduled speakers to make remarks at the service, according to Gary Chambers, who has been appointed by the family to assist with funeral arrangements. Chambers said he will be “master of ceremonies” for the service.
Sterling was fatally shot by police officers last week in front of the Triple S Food Mart in North Baton Rouge. His death has contributed to the national debate about black suspects shot by the police and drawn hundreds to Baton Rouge for several days of protests in Sterling’s name.
The viewing for Sterling will be open casket and will go from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with the funeral following at 11 a.m CST. The funeral will air live on CNN and other local affiliates. After the funeral the family will be escorted by law enforcement to an undisclosed location for a private burial.
