The Justice Committee is honored to stand by Constance Malcolm and Franclot Graham, Ramarley Graham’s parents, as they continue their struggle for justice and accountability for the NYPD killing of their son. Today we supported Ramarley’s family as they delivered over 33,000 signed petitions demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) launch a full investigation into this case. These signatures represent an outpouring of sentiment from New Yorkers and others across the country that the DOJ must step up and do its job.
It has been over two years since Ramarley was killed by NYPD Officer Richard Haste in his own home and over a year since the DOJ said it was reviewing the case. There is still no indication that an investigation is underway. Like so many other families who have lost loved ones to police brutality, Ramarley’s family has been given no information about what’s going on.
Today we sent a clear message. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara have been put on notice: Ramarley’s family should have to wait no longer for justice and accountability.
The DOJ must thoroughly investigate and convene a grand jury to indict Richard Haste on federal civil rights charges. This will not only be a step toward justice for Ramarley's family, it will send a message that the lives of Black and brown youth matter and that police brutality will not be tolerated any longer. We also call on U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to schedule a meeting with Ramarley’s parents no later that Sept. 19, 2014.
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