Civil and Human Rights Coalition Condemns Fatal Shooting of NYPD Officers Liu and Ramos and the Shooting of Shaneka Thompson

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after Ismaaiyl Brinsley shot his former girlfriend, Shaneka Thompson of Maryland, and killed two New York City police officers on Saturday:

“Saturday’s tragic shootings of officers Wenjian Liu, Rafael Ramos, and Shaneka Thompson, were senseless. We send our deepest condolences to their families, to the law enforcement community, and to the people of New York City. Linking Brinsley’s actions, as some have done, to the growing protest movement calling for reforms to law enforcement and the justice system across the nation compounds this tragedy into a much larger crisis of mistrust that makes reconciliation and reform an even greater challenge than it already is.  

In the aftermath of this tragedy, leaders across the country were unanimous in their condemnation of the killings while renewing the call for policies that increase accountability and build bridges between law enforcement and the communities they’re charged with protecting. The exploitation of the officers’ deaths for political gain is an unacceptable response.

Our hearts are with the victims’ families. We will continue to work with our movement, our government, and with our law enforcement officials for a safer and more just nation.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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