Press Releases

THOMPSON STATEMENT ON STATEN ISLAND AND FERGUSON POLICE KILLINGS

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding the killing of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York, and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri:

“I was a college student in Mississippi in the sixties- a time when this state and many others actively sought to harm African American citizens. The names of some victims we even remember fifty years later. At Tougaloo, I, like many others, dreamt of a day when the state would protect all its citizens. Unfortunately, in the past five months, state policeman acting without regard for human life have taken the lives of two young African American men. These recent police killings and the lack of indictment or arrest that follow bring attention to the flaws of our justice system and remind us that far too often the system fails people of color.

“But there is still hope for our justice system. I am convinced that the rash of killings of young African American males will be addressed with all stakeholders sitting at the table. Every American must play an active role in making our country the best it can be by inclusion and representation of people from all walks of life, regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status. I remain faithful that justice will prevail and we can bring comfort to those victimized and their families and protection to those most vulnerable,” said Congressman Thompson.