Statement by NNPA President, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. on Grand Jury Decision in Ferguson, MO about the Killing of Michael Brown

Today’s announcement that the Grand Jury decided not to indict Ferguson, MO Police Officer Darren Wilson who killed unarmed 18 year-old Michael Brown in August 2014 is yet another systematic and tragic slap in the face of equal justice in the United States.  On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), today our prayers and solidarity are first resolutely with the parents and family of young Michael Brown as well as concern for everyone in the Black American community and all people of good will in St. Louis County, Missouri.   I have personally spoken directly to two of our NNPA member publishers who publish in the St. Louis area: Donald M. Suggs of the St. Louis American and Michael C. Williams of the St. Louis Metro Sentinel.  We discussed the tense situation in Ferguson.  We are the “Voice of the Black Community” and the NNPA will not be silent or rest until there is justice in the Michael Brown case and other cases of racially-motivated police killings and violence in our communities across the nation.

STATEMENT
CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL
http://rangel.house.gov (@cbrangel)

“Let’s remember the courage of #Mandela & #MLK who taught us to overcome hate with LOVE. #FergusonDecision” -@cbrangel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement after a grand jury in St. Louis reached a decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri:

“While I share the disappointment and sadness felt by millions of people across America in the decision made by the grand jury in St. Louis County not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, I hope we can honor the memory of Michel Brown through peaceful protests and peaceful dialogue, instead of anger and violence.
It is tragic that our country still suffers from vestiges of injustice and racial discrimination. However, it is during times of turbulence when we must remain stronger and resilient to promote unity and healing within our communities. We must remember the courage of Nelson Mandela and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who taught us to rise above bitterness and hate with understanding and love.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Brown family, as we endeavor to overcome the great pain, suffering and division in our communities across the nation.”
# # #
Councilwoman Sheila Tyson, president of the Alabama Chapter of National Action Network, on the Ferguson Grand Jury Verdict:

“Oscar Grant, Kimani Gray, Kendrec McCade, Amadou Diallo, Timothy Stansberry Jr., Sean Bell, Aaron Campbell, Victor Seen, Trayvon Martin, Alonzo Ashley, and now Michael Brown. These are a handful of the unarmed, African-American men who have been killed by police officers—all of whom faced minimal consequences for their actions.

In fact, 5 unarmed African-American men have been killed by police officers in the last month. I join many citizens in wondering: what will it take for this country to recognize that African-American men have a target on their backs, and that police officers have been given a license to kill at their discretion?

It’s tragic that I even have to ask this question in 2014. It’s tragic for my little grand-baby, for the starry-eyed children I read to earlier this week, and for Americans of all colors and ethnicities that make a daily contribution to a positive and equitable society. But the reality is clear: young African-American men—no matter their education, background, or upbringing—are at risk. And there is no coming back from death.”

“Before I say anything else, I want to be clear that not all police officers are bad. I choose to believe that most of them go to work, and do a satisfactory job. I also want to be clear that under no circumstance is violence, rioting, and looting the answer…but as Dr. King so eloquently stated, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.'”

“The truth is that Michael Brown deserved his day in court for his alleged actions, just like Darren Wilson. But that opportunity was taken away from him, just like it has been taken away from so many other young and defenseless African-American men.

What the media doesn’t tell us is that theft, fights, and drug-use happens in Mountain Brook and Vestavia, just like it does in West End and Ensley. In Beverly Hills, just like in Compton. In swanky Manhattan business offices, just like the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. The crimes are the same, but once you insert people’s biases and prejudices into the picture, the law of second chances and ‘slaps on the wrist’ are inequitably applied.”

“I, for one, refuse to remain silent about it. Today, soft talk just won’t do. People keep saying that we need to “learn” from this, but that simply isn’t good enough. You cannot teach people what they refuse to see: the life of the African-American male does not hold the same value as the life of his counterpart. Not anywhere…not even in the most powerful country on the planet. Remember: ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.'”

“I’m urging citizens to express their anger, disappointment, and fears in a productive and positive manner. It’s time to peacefully protest. It’s time to call your Congressmen and Congresswomen, your Senators, your state representatives, and your City Councilors. It’s time to share your outrage through the power of words. It’s time to join your brothers and sisters—black, white, brown, and yellow—in peaceful protest of this injustice. It’s time to use the education that Dr. King and countless other civil rights leaders fought for us to have. It’s time to speak truth to power.”

From Staff  and Wire Reports

Once again history repeats itself.
Officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the shooting death of 18-year-old teenager Michael Brown, reports CNN.
The Brown family lawyer, Benjamin Crump, was informed that there would be no indictment moments before the official announcement. He told reporters that “The jury was not inclined to indict on any charges.”
Brown was shot on August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri after an altercation with Wilson. According to reports, Brown and a friend were walking in the street when Wilson ordered the two teenagers to get out of the street.
Reportedly, Brown and Wilson engaged in a physical altercation through the window of the police vehicle which led to Wilson’s gun firing a shot either accidentally or as a result of the struggle.
Both teenagers fled the scene, however, Brown was pursued by Wilson and was subsequently shot six times by the officer. The circumstances surrounding the shooting vary depending on the witness, but it’s been reported that Brown was either surrendering to Wilson when he was shot or moving towards Wilson.
The National LGBTQ Task Force describes the grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson, Missouri officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown as “shocking and painful for millions.”
“People across this nation feel angry and outraged by this decision. Justice has been denied today to the parents of Michael Brown, the community of Ferguson, and an entire nation that continues to battle with racially motivated homicides and violence targeting Black and brown males. No one should ever live in fear of walking down a street in their neighborhood and being killed by a police officer—the very officials who are meant to protect not take our lives.
“As Americans, we have a moral obligation to speak up and stand up against injustice. All lives matter! Anyone who takes someone’s life must be brought to justice. We cannot allow the murders of young Black men such as Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin to continue.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Michael Brown and the entire community of Ferguson. We will continue to stand with Ferguson — a community that has mobilized to protest excessive use of force by local authorities, organized to shed light on the ongoing racial profiling by police, built coalitions to challenge the lack of transparency and accountability by local officials and transform a system and a community.
“And while we thank the U.S. Attorney General’s office for monitoring the situation in Ferguson, we still have our work cut out for us. We will continue working with the Justice Department to bring cultural competency to local police and pushing Congress to pass the ‘End Racial Profiling Act.’ Together, we must also redouble our efforts in advocating for reform in the criminal justice system and to end racial profiling by police.
“While this decision is shocking and painful for millions, we can’t let our heartbreak diminish our collective resolve to achieve freedom, justice and equality — and to do it deliberatively and peacefully.”—-Rev. Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.
The National LGBTQ Task Force, as the nation’s oldest national LGBTQ advocacy organization, has worked tirelessly to end racial inequalities and harmful practices by police—such as the “stop and frisk” policy in New York City.
Statement from Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO:
“The NAACP stands with citizens and communities who are deeply disappointed that the grand jury did not indict Darren Wilson for the tragic death of Michael Brown, Jr. We stand committed to continue our fight against racial profiling, police brutality and the militarization of local authorities. The death of Michael Brown and actions by the Ferguson Police Department is a distressing symptom of the untested and overaggressive policing culture that has become commonplace in communities of color all across the country.   We will remain steadfast in our fight to pass the End Racial Profiling federal legislation.  And we stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters and uphold that their civil rights not be violated as both demonstrators and authorities observe the “rules of engagement.”  The grand jury’s decision does not mean a crime was not committed in Ferguson, Missouri, nor does it mean we are done fighting for Michael Brown, Jr. At this difficult hour, we commend the courage and commitment of Michael Brown’s family, as well as local and national coalition partners.”
Statement of Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the nation’s first civil rights law organization:
“We are deeply disappointed by the grand jury’s failure to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. The tragedy of Mr. Brown’s death at the hands of Officer Wilson, as well as the overwrought, often unconstitutional, and overly-militarized response to protests in Ferguson are harsh and painful reminders of the work that we all must undertake to fulfill America’s promises of racial equality and justice.
We urge the United States Department of Justice to move forward expeditiously with its investigation of Michael Brown’s death and of the Ferguson police department and to leverage its considerable authority to help put an end to police violence nationwide.
The failure to indict Darren Wilson reflects structural, systemic problems that cannot be fixed without empowered communities of color that have the ability to hold institutions accountable. We call for sustained community-based organizing around the nation to counter police brutality against communities of color.
Police violence against African Americans not only undermines the integrity of law enforcement, but also lends credence to the pervasive perception that African-American lives are not worthy of protection. We will continue to support efforts that seek justice for Mr. Brown; positively transform the culture and character of the Ferguson Police Department; and end discriminatory police practices across the country.”
Statement of Vincent Southerland, Senior Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the nation’s first civil rights law organization:
“African Americans continue to be killed and brutalized by law enforcement at alarming rates. This summer, Eric Garner was choked to death by New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo while pleading for his life. Jonathan Crawford was shot dead in an Ohio Wal-Mart for holding a toy gun that was for sale. Marlene Pinnock was brutally beaten by a California Highway Patrol officer during a stop on the side of a California freeway. Countless others have been unjustifiably beaten, tasered, shot, verbally abused, and traumatized by the police in their communities.
It is time to bring the cycle of police violence against African Americans to an end. LDF has asked the United States Department of Justice to deploy its full authority to stop this tragic cycle by reviewing police-involved killings and beatings of African Americans nationwide, incentivizing training on racial bias and the police use of force, prosecuting police officers and departments that violate civil rights laws, and encouraging greater oversight of police officers.
These national efforts, however, can only be successful when the voices of those in communities suffering under the yoke of police violence are translated into substantive changes that reaffirm the value of African American lives. Through sustained community organizing, public education, and continued advocacy, we must all work together to ensure that Michael Brown’s death was not in vain.”
A letter from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to the Department of Justice .
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil rights legal advocacy organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, LDF’s mission has always been transformative: to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.
LDF has been a separate organization from the NAACP since 1957. If our name needs to be shortened, please refer to us as NAACP Legal Defense Fund” or “Legal Defense Fund,” not “NAACP.”

CLEVELAND (AP) — A 12-year-old boy shot by police after grabbing what turned out to be a replica gun died from his wounds Sunday, a day after officers responded to a 911 call about someone waving a “probably fake” gun at a playground.
Deputy Chief Ed Tomba said one officer fired twice after the boy pulled the fake weapon — which was lacking the orange safety indicator usually found on the muzzle — from his waistband but had not pointed it at police. The boy did not make any verbal threats but grabbed the replica handgun after being told to raise his hands, Tomba said.
“That’s when the officer fired,” he said.
The Cuyahoga County medical examiner identified the boy as Tamir Rice. An attorney for his family, Timothy Kucharski, said the boy went to the park with friends Saturday afternoon, but he did not know the details of what led to the shooting.
“I don’t want to make a rush to judgment,” he said.
The police department is investigating the shooting and both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. The county prosecutor’s office also is investigating.
Kucharski said he wants to talk to witnesses himself and get more facts.
“We’re ultimately going to find out what happened,” Kucharski said.
Police said the weapon was an “airsoft” type replica that resembled a semi-automatic handgun. The orange safety indicator had been removed, police said.
A man who called 911 told dispatchers the boy was on a swing set and pointing a pistol that was “probably fake” and scaring everyone.
The caller said the boy was pulling the gun in and out of his pants.
“I don’t know if it’s real or not,” the caller said.
Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the officers were not told the caller thought the gun might be fake.
The officer called to the playground outside a city recreation center saw the pistol sitting on a table or bench, and watched the boy grab it and put it in his waistband, Follmer said.
Cleveland police have been under increased scrutiny during the last few years. The U.S. Justice Department has been conducting an investigation of their pursuit and use of force practices.
Federal officials said in March 2013 that their investigation would go beyond a high-profile car chase that ended with officers firing 137 shots and two deaths.
Last week, it was announced that relatives of the two people killed in the 2012 chase will split a $3 million settlement from the city of Cleveland.
The families filed a lawsuit after 43-year-old Timothy Russell and 30-year-old Malissa Williams were killed by police after a 20-mile pursuit that involved 62 police cruisers and more than 100 officers. Six police officers involved in the chase were indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury.
The department changed its pursuit policy after the chase, limiting when and how long patrol cars can chase suspects.