The Grand Jury In Ferguson Declined To Indict Police Officer Darren Wilson for the death 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.  – NNPA President, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

“My heart continues to go out to Michael Brown’s family and community.

I am beyond disappointed in today’s verdict.

Like everyone in our community, I am devastated by the senseless murder of yet another young black man.

The deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Oscar Grant, one of my constituents, serve as tragic examples of the senseless murder of young African American men.-

I urge protesters to be peaceful and for the police to respect people exercising their First Amendment rights.

We must come together like never before to tackle the systemic, structural and rampant racial bias endemic in our institutions and criminal justice system. We must demand change and work to realize it.” – Congresswoman Barbara Lee

“Once again, our hearts go out to the family of Michael Brown who tragically lost his life much too soon, as well as to the entire Ferguson community, which has endured the consequences of this event and its aftermath. The nation’s mayors strongly believe that there should have been open-court proceedings in the case of the officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown so that the evidence could have been presented in a public forum, and a verdict could have been rendered by a jury.

“We hope that prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch will release the full transcript and audio proceedings of the Grand Jury as he promised in September.  This will ensure that Michael Brown’s family, as well as the community and the American public will have a greater understanding of what happened on August 9.  As leaders of cities across the country, we are committed to working with our communities to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated.

“There is an understandable feeling of discontent in the community, and there will no doubt be protests. Our hope is that any demonstrations that occur will be peaceful and nonviolent so that we can begin to heal from this difficult time.” – SACRAMENTO MAYOR KEVIN JOHNSON

“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.” – From Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO:

“The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is troubled by the grand jury decision today. Although not deterred, the Lawyers’ Committee will continue to work with legal and community partners to seek justice for Michael Brown and his family, and work on ensuring that systemic change is brought in Ferguson and nationwide to address excessive force by law enforcement against people of color, particularly African American youth, who are routinely targeted by law enforcement.”
-Barbara R. Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

“The NAACP is deeply disappointed that the grand jury did not indict Darren Wilson for the senseless and tragic death of Michael Brown. While we are frustrated, we stand committed to continue our fight against racial profiling, police brutality and the militarization of local authorities.  We will remain steadfast in our fight to pass the End Racial Profiling 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. At this difficult hour, we commend the courage and commitment of Michael Brown’s family, as well as local and national coalition partners.”
-Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO

“The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Black Women’s Roundtable are seriously troubled by the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson for the violent and senseless killing of Michael Brown. It’s been a long road traveled in the civil rights movement, but the slaying of Michael Brown, followed by this decision, makes it clear that we can’t take off our marching shoes yet. We’ve got to keep the movement moving until injustice like this is only heard about in the history books. We pray for Michael Brown’s family and urge the public to engage in peaceful protests.”
–Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable

“Today’s announcement makes clear that the systemic bias and dysfunction in our justice system that led to Michael Brown’s death extends all the way to the courthouse. We send our condolences to the Brown family and the community of Ferguson for today’s announcement that there would be no justice for this shooting death or the wounds it inflicted on the community. We will continue to partner with law enforcement at all levels to correct the systemic bias that exists at every juncture of our justice system and causes young men of color to be killed or unjustly targeted and subject to heavy-handed sentencing.”
-Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

“We are deeply disappointed with 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.”
–Sherrilyn Ifill, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, President, Director-Counsel

“Today’s decision by the grand jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the horrific killing of Michael Brown is disappointing, but not the end to the struggle for justice. Now more than ever, it is critical for the U.S. Department of Justice to take a leading role in changing policies that allow the police to target innocent people and engage in brutality against Americans.  Michael Brown was an unarmed African American with his entire life ahead of him, and we must honor his legacy by continuing the fight against racial profiling and excessive use of force.”
-Farhana Khera, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates

“The National Bar Association is disappointed, yet not discouraged by the Grand Jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson.  The message sent to this country today is that it’s okay to shoot and kill an unarmed individual of color.   The problems with police brutality is nothing new but the combined efforts of the civil rights organization is something this country has not seen in a very long time. With the combined efforts and the manpower of the National Bar Association, we plan to keep our sleeves rolled up until there is change.”
-Pamela Meanes, President of the National Bar Association