Task Force’s Rev. Darlene Nipper: Ferguson Grand Jury Decision “Shocking and painful for millions”

WASHINGTON, DC, November 24, 2014 — The National LGBTQ Task Force describes the grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson, Missouri officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown as “shocking and painful for millions.”

“People across this nation feel angry and outraged by this decision. Justice has been denied today to the parents of Michael Brown, the community of Ferguson, and an entire nation that continues to battle with racially motivated homicides and violence targeting black and brown males. No one should ever live in fear of walking down a street in their neighborhood and being killed by a police officer—the very officials who are meant to protect not take our lives.

“As Americans, we have a moral obligation to speak up and stand up against injustice. All lives matter! Anyone who takes someone’s life must be brought to justice. We cannot allow the murders of young Black men such as Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin to continue.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Michael Brown and the entire community of Ferguson. We will continue to stand with Ferguson — a community that has mobilized to protest excessive use of force by local authorities, organized to shed light on the ongoing racial profiling by police, built coalitions to challenge the lack of transparency and accountability by local officials and transform a system and a community.

“And while we thank the U.S. Attorney General’s office for monitoring the situation in Ferguson, we still have our work cut out for us. We will continue working with the Justice Department to bring cultural competency to local police and pushing Congress to pass the ‘End Racial Profiling Act.’ Together, we must also redouble our efforts in advocating for reform in the criminal justice system and to end racial profiling by police.

“While this decision is shocking and painful for millions, we can’t let our heartbreak diminish our collective resolve to achieve freedom, justice and equality — and to do it deliberatively and peacefully.”

–Rev. Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

The National LGBTQ Task Force, as the nation’s oldest national LGBTQ advocacy organization, has worked tirelessly to end racial inequalities and harmful practices by police—such as the “stop and frisk” policy in New York City.

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