Protest group plans rally following police chief's remarks

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A group of black protesters are planning a rally after Madison's police chief wrote that he's tired of them blaming his department for perpetuating racial disparities.

The Young, Gifted and Black Coalition has been staging occasional protests in Madison decrying black men's deaths at the hands of white police officers nationally. They've also been calling for officials to release 350 black prisoners from the Dane County jail and halt funding for a new lock-up.

Last week the group sent a letter to Police Chief Michael Koval demanding his officers stay out of black neighborhoods. Koval, who is white, wrote on his blog Monday that he's sick of the group blaming his officers for minorities' problems.

The group plans to rally in front of downtown Madison's city-county building on Tuesday evening.