April, 16 2021, 12:00am EDT
Horrific Police Video Shows How Systemic Racism in Policing LED to the Murder of 13-Year-Old Adam Toledo
Scott Roberts, Senior Director of Criminal Justice Campaigns at Color Of Change, issued this statement following the release of police body-camera footage depicting the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:
WASHINGTON
"While the nation is still reeling from the police murder of Daunte Wright and awaiting a crucial jury verdict in the police murder of George Floyd, Chicago authorities have released a horrific video, which shows the final moments of 13-year-old Adam Toledo's life before he, too, was murdered by police. The pattern is clear: systemic racism runs so deep within our policing system that no one is truly safe, not even our children, from police brutality.
"Black communities are tired of living in constant fear of arrest, incarceration, and deadly police violence. We are tired of seeing our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and family members senselessly murdered. Chicago city leadership has failed to meet the moment because of their lack of transparency and knee-jerk reaction to defend the Chicago Police Department. This is reminiscent of the handling of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald.
"The issue with racist police violence however, is bigger than one officer. The entire system is to blame. And while police departments continue to adopt piecemeal reforms that have failed to address police violence or create any accountability, we need real, systemic change if we ever expect it to end. Additional training, body-worn cameras, and civilian oversight are not enough to protect Black and Brown lives. We need to divest from police, invest in our communities, and fundamentally reimagine public safety in America."
Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
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