National Bar Association responds to lack of charges in shooting death of Michael Brown

Photo courtesy of The Body

WASHINGTON, DC – In a media release, The National Bar Association responded to the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri.

The association is questioning how the grand jury, considering the evidence before them, could reach the conclusion that Darren Wilson should not be indicted and tried for the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Brown was shot multiple times during a confrontation with Ferguson Police Officer Wilson Aug, 9. After months of reviewing evidence and testimony. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch announced Monday night that Wilson would not be indicted Brown’s death.

Association President Pamela J. Meanes expresses her sincere disappointment with the outcome of the grand jury’s decision, calling on the United States Department of Justice to pursue federal charges against Wilson.

“We will not rest until Michael Brown and his family has justice.” Meanes said.

Meanes added that the association has hosted town hall meetings informing  attendees of their Fourth Amendment constitutional rights, whether it is legal to record police activity, and how citizens should behave or respond if they interface with ;aw enforcement.

“The death of Michael Brown was the last straw and the catalyst for addressing issues of inequality and racial bias in policing, the justice system, and violence against members of minority communities,” states Meanes.

Meanes said the asssociation is supports transformative justice. Though disappointed with the grand jury’s ruling the association is working to promoted peace on every street corner around the world.

“The only way to foster systemic change is to organize, educate and mobilize,” Meanes said. “We are imploring everyone to fight against the injustice in Ferguson  and throughout the United States by banding together and working within the confines of the law.” 

The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges.