FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 8, 2018
Contact: Yul-san Liem, yul-san@justicecommittee.org, 347.676.1878
Families Call for Interim AG with Track Record of Holding Police Accountable
In response to the pending appointment of an interim New York State Attorney General family members of New Yorkers killed by police (listed below) released the following statement:
As those directly impacted by police killings of our loved ones, we fought to establish the Office of New York State Attorney General as a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute police killings of civilians. County district attorneys are too reliant on local law enforcement to maintain the independence and credibility required to investigate and prosecute police officers when they kill civilians. Since an acting Attorney General will be appointed, it is critical that the New York State Legislature appoint someone who has a strong track record of holding law enforcement accountable for abuse and unjust killings and a demonstrated commitment to effectively implement the special prosecutor executive order.
Part of ensuring that no one is treated as if they are above the law is being willing to hold individual police officers accountable when they unjustly kill civilians and police departments accountable when they engage in systemic violations of people's rights. There are critically important pending cases being investigated and prosecuted by the office that must receive timely, thorough and transparent follow-through to secure justice for the people of New York. We urge the state legislature to consult with and listen to families of victims, like us, during its decision-making process about who will succeed Eric Schneiderman as Attorney General.
Statement Signatories
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner
Iris Baez, mother of Anthony Baez
Kadiatou Diallo, mother of Amadou Diallo
Hawa Bah, mother of Mohamed Bah
Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell
Natasha Duncan, sister of Shantel Davis
Angie Hicks, aunt of Shantel Davis
Constance Malcolm, mother of Ramarley Graham
Carol Gray, mother of Kimani Gray
Hertencia Petersen, aunt of Akai Gurley
Jennifer Gonzales, mother of Kenny Lazo's son
Victoria Davis, sister of Delrawn Small
Joshua Lopez, nephew of John Collado
Margarita Rosario, mother of Anthony Rosario and aunt of Hilton Vega
Nancy Pacheco, sister-in-law of Jayson Tirado
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