Aug 15, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS CONDEMN POLICE’S USE OF FORCE, EXTEND CONDOLENCES TO MICHAEL BROWN’S FAMILY

WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 preeminent national Latino organizations, stand in solidarity with the family of Michael Brown and join those in Ferguson, Missouri and across the nation in calling for justice.

Leaders from the NHLA coalition issued the following remarks:

“The killing of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri, and their subsequent use of disproportionate force have no place in an America that aspires to respect the dignity of all people," said Hector Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. "These types of injustices are all too familiar to people of color, especially our youth, who endure racial profiling by law enforcement and higher rates of arrest and incarceration. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Ferguson and across the nation to demand justice in this case and renew our call for reform of local, state, federal, and immigration enforcement to root out racial profiling and practices that lead to an escalation of force, which too often result in the tragic loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael Brown's family during this painful time.”

“As a mother of a boy of color, and as a reproductive justice advocate, I am deeply saddened by the brutal shooting of Michael Brown and have serious questions about the subsequent conduct of local police,” said Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. “Mothers of color should not have to fear that our children will not be safe in our neighborhoods and city streets. The militarization and violent conduct, whether of police or immigration enforcement officials, are issues of human rights and racial justice, and warrant full investigation and accountability measures. My deepest condolences to Michael Brown’s family and all communities facing state violence.”

“Latinos - like so many Americans of all backgrounds – are collectively outraged at what has transpired on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri in the last week,” stated José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation. “We extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Michael Brown and the Ferguson community and stand with all who call for a swift, just investigation to determine how another unarmed Black young man was killed by those who are given the solemn responsibility to protect and serve all of us. Moreover, we urge the U.S. Justice Department and law enforcement departments across the country to act in response to calls for drastically different approach to combating crime, while protecting the human and civil rights of ALL Americans.”

“Tragedies like the one in Ferguson are a testament to the dangers when there is a fundamental disconnect between community members and those given the responsibility and privilege to provide protection,” said Juan Carlos Areán, Senior Director of Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network. “As an organization committed to ending violence,Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network commends the recent shift in tone towards a response that values, acknowledges, and includes community participation. Only through mutual collaboration, respect, and a commitment to uphold the equal rights of all individuals will similar tragedies in the future be prevented.”

# # #Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and LatinosUnited.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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