In the News

Congressional Black Caucus Denounces Ferguson Grand Jury
Politico
By Kendall Breitman
Posted November 24, 2014

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Monday called the grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson a “slap in the face” for those seeking justice for the death of Michael Brown.

“The Ferguson grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown is a miscarriage of justice,” CBC Chair Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) said in a statement released after the decision was announced late Monday evening in Missouri. “It is a slap in the face to Americans nationwide who continue to hope and believe that justice will prevail.”

“This decision seems to underscore an unwritten rule that Black lives hold no value; that you may kill Black men in this country without consequences or repercussions,” Fudge’s statement continued. “This is a frightening narrative for every parent and guardian of Black and brown children, and another setback for race relations in America.”

After months of deliberation, St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch announced that a grand jury had reached a decision not to indict Wilson on criminal charges. Wilson shot and killed the unarmed teenager Aug. 9 in a confrontation on the streets of Ferguson.

The American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement on Monday night saying that it will “continue to fight for racial justice.”

“We must end the prevailing policing paradigm where police departments are more like occupying forces, imposing their will to control communities,” the statement read.

Once the decision not to indict was announced, Ferguson again became engulfed in unrest. The Associated Press reports dozens of businesses were set ablaze and authorities said they heard hundreds of gunshots. Dozens of people were arrested.

Rep. John Lewis, known for his role in the civil rights movement, took to Twitter shortly after McCulloch finished his statement.

“I know this [is] hard. I know this is difficult. Do not succumb to the temptations of violence. There is a more powerful way,” the Georgia Democrat tweeted.

Another of his tweets read, “Only love can overcome hate. Only nonviolence can overcome violence.”

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) also likened the events in Ferguson to the civil rights movement, urging protesters in a statement to march peacefully “just as we did” during the ’50s and ’60s.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) was quick to put out a statement and said he is “disappointed” in the decision, but that he is looking to the Department of Justice to continue to investigate the case.

“While I understand the emotions that have brought protestors into the streets, our goal now should be preventing cases like this one from ever happening again by encouraging dialogue with the police forces sworn to protect our communities and transforming the practices and culture that led to the shooting,” Cummings said in a statement.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) echoed Cummings’ disappointment, tweeting she is also “disappointed in the lack of #Justice4MikeBrown. We must demand change & work to end racial & structural bias in a peaceful manner.”

Prominent political figures in Missouri also weighed in.

Gov. Jay Nixon said: “I urge all those voicing their opinions regarding the grand jury’s decision to do so peacefully. I also urge everyone to continue working to make positive changes that will yield long-term social, economic and spiritual benefits for all our communities.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said in a statement that she expects people to be disappointed, but that she hopes the DOJ will “continue working together for solutions to systematic issues highlighted by this tragedy.”

Over a series of 11 tweets sent after the decision was announced, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) told protesters, “We hear you.”

“We have not merely witnessed the effects of a warped sense of law & order, enforced with unbridled & unpredictable power. We wear the scars,” one tweet read.