Following the meeting between Assistance US Attorney David Kennedy, Mohamed Bah’s mother, her attorneys and advocates, Hawa Bah, mother of Mohamed Bah, issued the following statement:
Today I – along with my attorneys and representatives of the Justice Committee – met with Assistant US Attorney David Kennedy. He informed us that the Department of Justice is still reviewing Mohamed’s case. It is difficult to understand why my son’s case has been stalled with the DOJ for so long. It’s been almost four years. There is clear evidence that the NYPD violated Mohamed’s civil rights and yet the DOJ has failed to move forward swiftly to ensure justice and accountability.
On Sept. 25, 2012 I called 911 to request an ambulance for my son, Mohamed Bah, because I could tell he was sick. NYPD Emergency Services Unit officers arrived instead of an ambulance. They forced their way in Mohamed’s apartment against NYPD protocol and without a warrant, even though I pleaded with them not to. They shot my son eight times, firing the final shot as he lay helpless on the ground. Then they tried to cover up their crimes by releasing false statements about the incident and claiming they lost “evidence.”
The NYPD unlawfully entered Mohamed’s home, executed him and then tried to cover it up. The Department of Justice must hold the officers who murdered Mohamed and then attempted to cover up the incident accountable.
Every time police are not held accountable for murdering Black and Brown people, it sends a message that they can brutalize and kill with impunity, allowing and even encouraging the violence to continue. The local criminal justice system failed me and my son even though there is clear evidence that they broke the law. I am demanding the DOJ not continue this failure and in stead hold these officers accountable.
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