Justice for Tony Robinson: "You're not protecting us, you're killing us"
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Justice for Tony Robinson: "You're not protecting us, you're killing us"
Last week, Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny fatally shot and brutally killed unarmed, Black 19-year-old Tony Terrell Robinson Jr. His friends and family described Tony as a gentle, loving, caring, teenager with a bright future. He was killed by law enforcement known for some of the worst racial profiling in the country.
Every day since his tragic killing the people of Madison have taken to the streets to demand justice, including more than 2,000 high school students who occupied the State Capitol. Despite the city's seemingly progressive legacy, Madison is highly segregated and police are nine times more likely to arrest Black residents. Wisconsin has the highest incarceration rate of Black men in America.
But there is an opportunity for real-world change. From Ferguson to Madison, Black and brown youth are standing up to transform policing, hold killer cops accountable and end institutional racism. Join us in urging federal, state and local officials to fire and prosecute Officer Kenny for murder and end Madison's brutal and discriminatory policing.
This is the letter we will send to the US Department of Justice, WI Department of Justice, WI Governor and local Madison officials. Feel free to add a personal comment in the space provided.
Dear Governor Walker, US Attorney General Eric Holder, Attorney General Brad Schimel, Police Chief Mike Koval and Mayor Paul Soglin,
I urge you to arrest, fire and prosecute Officer Matt Kenny for the tragic killing of 19-year-old Tony Terrell Robinson Jr. This type of brutal, discriminatory police violence has no place in Madison law enforcement and Officer Kenny, who has killed before, must be held fully accountable.
Discriminatory and violent policing has no place in law enforcement, yet Madison is home to some of the worst racial disparities in policing nationwide. Black residents are 8 times more likely to be arrested by police, and Wisconsin unjustly incarcerates Black men at the highest rate in America.
As top justice officials you have the power and responsibility to end this grave human rights crisis. I urge you to arrest and prosecute Officer Kenny to the fullest extent of the law, in addition to implementing widespread structural reforms to end Madison's discriminatory policing including but not limited to:
- Full and thorough investigation into structural racism and discriminatory policing of Madison law enforcement, lead by both local officials and community members directly impacted by racial profiling, police misconduct and mass incarceration.
- A comprehensive and enforceable plan, agreed on by Madison's Black residents most harmed by police misconduct, to end the polices and practices that fuel racial disparities in law enforcement.
- Massive reinvestment into mental health training for law enforcement and quality public health resources for the public.
- Massive expansion of diversion programs and community-led alternatives to incarceration.
In the words of President Obama, now is the time to transform policing.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]