STATEMENT BY REVEREND AL SHARPTON ON ARREST OF POLICE OFFICER IN NORTH CHARLESTON SHOOTING OF WALTER SCOTT

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Apr 08, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Action Network

April 8, 2015

STATEMENT BY REVEREND AL SHARPTON ON ARREST OF POLICE OFFICER IN NORTH CHARLESTON SHOOTING OF WALTER SCOTT

NEW YORK – Today at the opening of the 17th Annual National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York City, NAN President Reverend Al Sharpton issued the following statement on the arrest of a North Charleston, South Carolina police officer in the shooting death of Walter Scott:

“Walter Scott’s death is a senseless tragedy and we commend the city of North Charleston for acting swiftly to deliver justice in this case. NAN’s South Carolina chapter leaders have been with the family since Saturday and our thoughts and prayers are with them and the entire community of North Charleston. I have spoken with the Scott’s family attorney, Chris Stewart, and plan to visit North Charleston very soon.

“When a black man is stopped for a broken tail light and ends up being shot multiple times in the back, it is yet another reminder that we need a national strategy to implement real and meaningful police reform now. We simply can’t rely on citizens with video cameras to make sure justice is served. We know that the majority of police officers are fair and just public servants, but the events of the past year show we still have a long way to go to ensure every citizen in America is treated equally in the eyes of law enforcement. The time to act is now.”

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