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.”
