Man known for hugs 'hangs' himself in protest

If David Sadler's mission was to turn heads, he certainly accomplished that Tuesday night.

You may remember Sadler when he stood blindfolded in front of the Biscuits' Riverwalk Stadium last year offering hugs. 

He returned to the spotlight after his latest demonstration went viral at the entrance to downtown's Riverfront Park. This time, instead of hugs, the views came from a mock hanging.

"Tonight is the biggest night for the #doucount Campaign. Everyone's been asking how I feel about everything that happened concerning unarmed black men being killed by police officers," Sadler wrote on Facebook earlier that day.

"Between 8:30 -10 p.m. we will Facebook Live what I'm feeling. This will be a once in a lifetime moment for me and #doucount! I hope you all try to understand what I'm feeling."

Sadler, who lives in Montgomery, began his campaign last year when he became concerned about the division between blacks and whites, between blacks and police and the police shootings of black men.

Just like cities such as Ferguson, Missouri that have become household names for the shooting of black men at the hands of a police officer, Montgomery's Greg Gunn was shot and killed by Montgomery police officer Aaron Cody Smith last year.

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Hundreds stopped after watching the fireworks downtown for the annual Fourth of July celebration to watch Sadler. Wearing a #doucount T-shirt, Sadler had rigged himself to "hang" from the riverfront's entrance sign leading into the tunnel. He had a rope tied around his neck and held a sign that read, "Dear D.O.J. Give me Liberty or Give me Death."

Many in the crowd took photos and posted videos. In his Facebok Live stream, Sadler told the crowd that while many celebrate July 4th as the day Americans won their independence from Great Britain, African-Americans were still enslaved.

The location of his demonstration also has historical significance. 

The city of Montgomery and Alabama had significant roles in the slave trade dating as far back as the 1600s when slaves were taken off ships at the riverfront and brought to Court Square to be traded.

He argued that the culture of enslaving black men, women and children is still seen in today's society. 

"So do you count? Of course you do. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't matter or that you don't count. No matter who you are or where you come from you can make it. Success is what you determine success is," Sadler told the crowd.

Salder also spoke with and shook the hands of Montgomery Police Department officers on patrol.

MPD's spokeswoman, Capt. Regina Duckett said MPD observed Sadler's peaceful demonstration and spoke with him, but there was not cause for enforcement action.