NEW YORK — From JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins: “Ohio is my home state, so it pains me to see video of Akron Police Department (APD) officers shoot more than 60 times and kill Jayland Walker—a 25-year-old Black man who was fleeing police over a traffic violation—at the same time we saw police in Illinois nonviolently arrest Robert Crimo III—a 22-year-old white man fleeing police after shooting and killing seven people and injuring dozens more in a mass shooting he committed in Highland Park, on July 4th, Independence Day.
“I along with so many other Black people are tired of the continued trauma associated with watching video footage of another Black man’s life being taken. Watching Jayland being chased by APD reminded me of scenes from the movie ‘Roots’ when slave patrols would track down slaves trying to escape to freedom. Watching him be gunned down, as if he was property getting away and had no rights—not even the right to live, the presumption of innocence, or a fair trial. We witnessed APD play judge, jury, and executioner.
“The total disregard for Jayland’s life is what we are demanding that this country acknowledge as the continuation of the historical elements of slavery. The treatment Crimo received is the treatment Jayland and other Black people like him deserve and rarely receive. We cannot and we will not look away from the inherent racism in the criminal legal system. We will continue naming it and demanding real justice for all.”
In our 10th anniversary year, JustLeadershipUSA’s work of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders continues and is growing even stronger!
This is going to be a very special time to look back on the past decade of JLUSA’s important work, the 1,600+ leaders we have helped get to the next level in their work, and even more importantly, we will look ahead to the next 10 years and beyond!
We can’t do this without you. We need your support to help us continue to do this work now and into the future. By making a donation in honor of JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, you are saying to the amazing leaders in our network who represent the 70+ million Americans who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, “I see you, and I support you!”
Please give a one-time $100 gift or set up a recurring $10 monthly donation to celebrate JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, and together we will build a fair and just U.S. Thank you!
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