Atlanta, GA – September 23, 2020– There is no argument that Americans of color are treated under a different justice system than white Americans. Today, once again, it has been proven that we have not two but three justice systems in this country. The third is the system of justice that applies to police officers who act as judge, jury and executioner in neighborhoods of color. The country and the world waited six long months for justice to be served in the case of Breonna Taylor. Once again, the hope that blind justice would prevail in holding the officers accountable for murdering this young woman in her home were dashed. Slow justice has again equated to no justice for Breonna. Just as so many feared, not a single police officer was charged today in the shooting death of Ms. Taylor.
Have centuries of domestic terrorism on black people in America brought us to this point in our history? We are now at a place where police officers can kill an innocent woman, sleeping in her own home. The reckless, unprofessional and criminal manner in which officers collectively attempted a no knock search warrant has been justified. Understand this sets precedent. Recognize that you could be next.
How does a grand jury charge reckless behavior without holding the police officers accountable for recklessly shooting an unarmed woman six times? The same three systems of justice that exists in America, gave these officers the comfort of behaving with complete contempt for life. The fact that Ms. Taylor was not even given immediate medical attention is why we must remind the world that Black Lives Matter. Bad policing was executed that night where not one officer upheld his oath to serve and protect. The no knock search warrant is simply bad policy that must be abolished. The six months that resulted in today’s charges represents bad prosecuting, resulting in no justice served.
The statement to vigorously prosecute ex-officer Brett Hankison, spoken by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, makes for a good media soundbite. The indictment of wanton endangerment once again proved that black lives truly do not matter in America, because it only applied to the white neighbors, not to the black neighbors or to Breonna. She was valued, loved and contributing to her city and her state. Her life mattered. 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and our network of members will stand in solidarity with Breonna’s family, until justice is served. We support 100 Member Ben Crump and the entire legal team, who are working diligently to obtain justice for yet another family that lost their loved one at the hands of the police. We urge any citizen exercising their right to peacefully protest, to do so with calm dignity in honor of Ms. Taylor’s memory.
About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. began with nine chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, public affairs and government with a mission to improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African American youth. These visionaries included businessmen and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. Since inception, the vision emerged and grew to over 10,000 members impacting over 125,000 underserved, underrepresented minority youth annually. Visit www.100blackmen.org for more information on the programs and initiatives of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and their global network of chapters.
