The Leadership Conference Statement on the Killing of Rayshard Brooks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rafael Medina, [email protected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the shooting of Rayshard Brooks:

“We grieve the needless killing of Rayshard Brooks by police officers and join local advocates in demanding meaningful accountability and a stop to these deaths. The resignation of the police chief and firing of the officer who killed Mr. Brooks are necessary steps for accountability. We call on the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and Fulton County District Attorney to conduct swift and thorough investigations into the shooting to ensure not only that police are held responsible when they act with impunity against Black people, but also to prevent such loss of life in the future.

“For too long, Black and Brown communities have demanded non-police responses to situations that should be handled by trained professionals other than law enforcement. Had someone other than police shown up to help Mr. Brooks, he may be alive today. It is time to shrink the footprint of the criminal legal system, including police, and enact a vision for justice that prioritizes investments in community-led solutions that center dignity and respect for everyone.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 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 member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.