One week ago, our hearts broke again as we watched yet another Black man be gunned down by a trigger happy police officer with no regard for Black life. 

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This week, a mother and 4 children (ages 17,14,12 & 6) were terrorized when police mistakenly identified their SUV as a stolen motorcycle from another state. That’s right. An SUV in Colorado was mistaken for a motorcycle in Montana with the same license plate number. The mother and children, one as young as 6, were forced to get out of the vehicle and lie face down on the hot, dirty pavement. They were handcuffed as the children wailed, confused and terrified by what was going on.

Strange Fruit

Over the past month, we have been horrified and heartbroken by a string of hangings of Black boys and men, all deemed to be suicides. Given the racially charged atmosphere and prevalence of hatred in many cities across America, Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change demands further investigation into these mysterious deaths all carried out in public spaces. Although we acknowledge the recent rise in suicide rates by young Black boys and men, we are skeptical that they would choose to hang themselves in a public square. We want thorough investigations in these cases and honor the lives and memory of these souls lost too soon.

MOBB United for Social Change Demands Justice for George Floyd 

We are pleased to hear that charges have been upgraded to second degree murder for the principal assailant, Derek Chauvin, in the murder of unarmed citizen George Floyd and have now also been filed against the remaining three officers involved for aiding and abetting a murder. We are also grateful that civil rights charges have been filed by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights against the Minneapolis Police Department in relation to the death of George Floyd. Additionally, we support the department’s investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.

We applaud Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for the decisive actions he has taken to further the pursuit of justice for the Floyd family. We must now work to ensure that these charges result in convictions that reassure every citizen that systematic discriminatory practices and reform in the criminal justice system are being addressed.
 
“We acknowledge that charges have now been filed against all four officers involved in the horrific murder of George Floyd,” said M.O.B.B. United for Social Change Founder Depelsha McGruder. “But this isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed a murder in broad daylight on video and expected swift justice -- only to later be sorely disappointed. We are hopeful that this case will bring real punishment and accountability to these officers who showed no regard for Mr. Floyd’s life in the form of convictions and stiff sentencing.” 

Call To Action

#ProtectThem by demanding immediate action to further our goal of achieving reform in policing and the criminal justice system.
 
We urge you to join us in continuing to make our voices heard by contacting the following local officials with these further demands:
 
Demand that Governor Tim Walz, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and Mayor Jacob Frey continue to work against the culture of racism and police brutality in Minnesota by putting firm policies and practices in place to end it. These include:

1. Prohibiting or banning excessive use of force tactics such as chokeholds and neck restraints in the arrest of unarmed suspects.
2. Any officer involved in an encounter with an unarmed citizen must be accountable to the police use of force rules as set forth in its applicable continuum of escalation. Loss of life resulting in such encounters should result in the officer being arrested for excessive use of force within 72 hours of the incident. 
3. An independent investigation of officer-involved fatalities should be conducted by the state's Attorney General's office in conjunction with the Civilian Review board.
4. More stringent review, oversight and punishment for officers with multiple complaints; officers terminated for misconduct should be unable to work in any professional law enforcement capacity.

Leadership must take a clear stand in enforcing the rules and guidelines set forth for proper conduct within the police force and provide transparency in reporting of all officer-involved fatalities to put an end to this abuse of power.  

Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor
1-800-657-3717

Medaria Arradondo, Minneapolis Police Chief
1-612-673-3559

Jacob Frye, Minneapolis Mayor
1-612-673-2100

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc. is a nationwide coalition of moms who are dedicated to making the world a safer place for Black boys and men by eradicating harassment, brutality and unwarranted use of deadly force by law enforcement and others against our sons. The group was born out of frustration over the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile in Minnesota and numerous other innocent Black boys and men killed by police before and after them. It has grown into a mobilized force of moms determined to make a difference. We aim to influence both policy and perception that impact how Black boys and men are treated by law enforcement.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

 
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MOMS OF BLACK BOYS UNITED FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, INC. (M.O.B.B. UNITED FOR SOCIAL CHANGE) REGARDING CHARGES FILED IN THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD BY FOUR MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS

 
(NEW YORK, NY) JUNE 04, 2020 - Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change, Inc. (M.O.B.B. United for Social Change), an online community of nearly 200,000 mothers with 15 local chapters nationwide is committed to advocating for fair and just treatment of Black boys and men in American society. We continue to stand in solidarity with the chorus of voices calling for immediate and widespread reform of the broken criminal justice and policing system.

Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change stands with the family of Jamee Johnson and the Jacksonville, Florida community as they seek justice faced with the tragedy of another young life taken too soon by law enforcement in Jacksonville, Florida on December 14, 2019. As an organization of moms raising and caring for Black boys, we mourn with and offer condolences to all families of the 13 Black men killed by police just during December 2019 alone, including Michael Dean in Temple, Texas.

This year, Black History month was challenging. In addition to lots of other troubling news, we saw multiple stories of teachers in classrooms across the country executing Black History Month lessons that included asking Black students to bring their lesson plans to life by pretending to be slaves.

Last week, for the second time within the past two months, a white police officer was convicted for murdering an innocent young Black male. Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted of 2nd degree murder for killing 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014. 40-year-old Van Dyke was also convicted of 16 counts of aggravated battery, one count for each bullet that he fired into Laquan as the teen walked away from the officer holding a small knife. This means Van Dyke could spend up to 20 years in prison for the murder conviction and an additional 6 to 30 years for each count of aggravated battery when he is sentenced on October 31. This comes on the heels of a conviction less than two months ago of Balch Springs, TX police officer Roy Oliver for the murder of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards, who was a passenger in a car leaving a teenage party when Oliver fired his rifle into the car. Oliver was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Last year, our hearts broke as we heard the story of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards being shot and killed by Balch Springs, TX Officer Roy Oliver.  By all accounts, Jordan was what we call the “perfect victim. He was leaving a teenage party as a passenger in a car with friends. He was unarmed, baby-faced, drug-free, a high school freshman who was a straight A student, and did not have a confrontation with police. In fact, he did what we would all tell our sons to do when shots ring out within earshot -- avoid trouble and leave the scene. As Jordan and friends backed out of the driveway after hearing shots fired from a nearby parking lot, Officer Roy Oliver deemed them an immediate threat and fired his rifle into the car window, killing young Jordan Edwards, who was a front seat passenger.

Over 600 individuals from throughout Montgomery County, Maryland, along with six local organizations, have signed and delivered a community letter outlining their concerns about policing in the county. The letter raises concerns in the wake of the shooting death of  Robert White, a black man who was killed about one mile from his childhood home in Silver Spring on June 11. He was killed while on foot near his neighborhood, which he walked routinely, according to neighbors.

An all-too familiar scene occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 2018 in the Minnehaha Regional Park in Minnesota, MN. Instead of having a carefree summer, the lives of 4 young Black boys ages 13-16 were forever changed based on a 911 call describing a “dangerous and escalating” confrontation involving sticks and a gun between these boys, an older White teen and his girlfriend. Upon arrival on the scene, the Minneapolis Park Police drew their guns on the boys, pointed their guns at them, and subsequently handcuffed the 4 young Black boys based on this false information. No weapons of any kind were found on any of the boys. Additionally, it was later revealed that the information provided in the 911 call was contradicted accounts by other witnesses, including a White woman who videotaped the incident and shared her account on Facebook.

Another son has set too early...Antwon Rose

On Tuesday evening, June 19th, East Pittsburgh police encountered and stopped a car in which 17- year-old Antwon Rose was a passenger. Witness accounts and video taken by community members show that seconds after Antwon - who was unarmed - exited the car and began running away from the police, he was shot three times and killed. Antwon did not appear to cause any immediate threat to the police.  No weapons were found upon his person or near his body.  It is not illegal to run away in fear.  Yet, he did and it cost him his life.

Open Letter to Starbucks in the Aftermath of the Viral Video of the Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson’s Arrest

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) is gravely concerned about the treatment and safety of Black men and boys who patronize Starbucks stores

On April 12, 2018, in the 5th largest city in the United States, two young Black entrepreneurs entered a Starbucks in a popular Philadelphia neighborhood to meet a business associate. On the surface, there is nothing unusual about this scenario. For most of us, this is typical professional behavior. In fact, many people around the country have engaged in similar behavior --- plan to meet a friend or business associate at a nearby Starbucks. General etiquette dictates waiting for all meeting attendees to arrive before ordering and possibly using the bathroom, including washing your hands, prior to ordering and/or eating. On this day, for Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, these typical actions resulted in an arrest by the Philadelphia Police Department and a confused public wondering whether one of our Black boys and men would be the next victim of “Waiting while Black”. For the more than 180,000 moms represented in our coalition of moms, this recent incident adds to our concern for the welfare of our sons --- Black boys and men --- and their ability to do normal activities in public.

When we send our sons to school, particularly our sons with special needs, we expect that they will be safe; that teachers and administrators have their best interests in mind and will protect them.  Yet, on April 17th, one such administrator - Shanna Swearingen, Principal at Ponderosa Elementary School (Houston-area Spring ISD) - did the exact opposite. Showing callous disregard and negligence, she put a special needs student in danger by telling staffers to not chase a special needs student who had a history of running away from class.  Instead, she said, call the police and tell them he had a gun. The student did not have a gun; and, the child's guardian learned about the incident two weeks later, on April 30th.

Today, almost 20 months after the homicide of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced that the state will not bring charges against the two police officers responsible for Sterling’s death. Justice has been denied yet again, as law enforcement officials are consistently not held accountable for the violence and brutality raged against Black men and boys. Alton Sterling’s murderers now walk free.  We are saddened and disappointed, but steeled in our resolve to advocate fervently for changes to ensure Black men and boys are treated fairly.

On Sunday night, Stephon Clark was doing the same thing that many of us do regularly — he simply walked around the outside of his home with his cell phone in his hand.  That night, Stephon was killed in the backyard of the home he shared with his grandparents and some of his siblings while police officers were responding to a report of a person breaking windows nearby. The police came armed and ready to shoot a prowler with a tool bar smashing windows. However, Stephon did not have a tool bar and was not smashing windows. He was unarmed at home, and the only thing in his hands was his cell phone.

On Saturday, November 4, 2017, Augustus Crawford was celebrating his son’s First Birthday. While Augustus was riding as a passenger in a car, two Bakersfield officers conducted a traffic stop.  During the stop Augustus began to run and the officers engaged in  foot pursuit.  During pursuit Crawford was fatally shot by Officer Warren Martin (the Son of Bakersfield Police Chief, Lyle Martin). 

On November 8, 2017, Lyndo Jones was in his car trying to fix a malfunctioning car alarm. A neighbor called the police to report a possible auto theft. When Mesquite, TX officers arrived, a scuffle ensued and Mr. Jones was shot twice by police officers. While in the hospital trying to recover from his serious injuries, Mesquite police denied access to Mr. Jones by his family and his attorney.

“When they approach me, they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed anything and everything except me.”

”Invisible Man”
 Ralph Ellison~

Perception. It’s what differentiates ugly from beautiful, good from bad. For many, it relates specifically to how they view things, but for Black and brown boys and men and their moms who love them, it’s almost always connected to how our sons are viewed by society and those in authority. 

This week the family of Walter Scott saw what hundreds of families of young black men and boys across America almost never see.  They saw justice for the murder of their son, Walter Scott.