43 F
Indianapolis
Friday, March 29, 2024

CBC members push DOJ to investigate police shooting unarmed Blacks

More by this author

On Sept. 22, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a news conference outside of the United States Justice Department in Washington, D.C., calling for Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate, indict and even prosecute law enforcement officers who intentionally kill innocent and unarmed Blacks.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) recited the names of Blacks who have been killed by police in recent years including Rekia Boyd, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and Terence Crutcher. Waters also read from a letter that she and Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) delivered to Lynch’s office minutes later.

“It is time for the Department of Justice to take aggressive action and put an end to what appears to be the targeting of and profiling of African-Americans that result in their death,” Waters read. “Officers enjoy the presumption of credibility, whereas victims endure the presumption of guilt. For too long, this dynamic has helped to protect law enforcement officers from being brought to justice.”

Several members of the CBC stood at the podium and passionately spoke about how recent killings continue to hurt the Black community.

After days of protests in Charlotte, North Carolina, following the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott, 43, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) advised all those protesting nationwide to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.

“Exercise your right within the First Amendment,” he said. “I understand why you’re angry. I’m angry. Just stay peaceful…”

Scott was the third Black male shot and killed by police in the span of a week.

Tyre King, 13, was shot and killed by a white police officer Sept. 15 in Columbus, Ohio. Police said King, who later died at a hospital, allegedly pulled a BB gun from his waistband before he was shot. During a press conference, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said, “Our officers carry a gun that looks practically identical to this weapon.”

A white police officer shot and killed Terence Crutcher, 40, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The shooting was caught on video from a police helicopter.

Tulsa County District Attorney Stephen Kunzweiler announced his office would charge Officer Betty Shelby with first-degree manslaughter in the Crutcher shooting.

“The charging of the officer in Tulsa was a swift step in the pursuit of justice,” the Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted. “We need to examine all involved.”

William J. Ford is a staff writer for The Washington Informer. You can follow him on Twitter @jabariwill.

- Advertisement -
ads:

Upcoming Online Townhalls

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest local news.

Stay connected

1FansLike
1FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Popular articles

Español + Translate »
Skip to content