MOBB United for Social Change demands action from the Claremont Police Department and School District.
Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change stands with the family of Quincy Merlin, who was taunted and hanged by the neck by teenagers with clear racist intent. The teenagers were white and hurling racial epithets at 8 year old Quincy before manipulating him into putting a rope around his neck, pushing him off of a table and leaving him to hang. Young Quincy was taken to the hospital with significant bodily injuries. In spite of eye witnesses and obvious physical trauma, the Claremont, NH police department was slow to initiate an investigation into the crime. Our concern is that in spite of involvement from the state of New Hampshire as well as local Claremont authorities, a full investigation will not occur. It seems, based on a statement from the Chief of Police, that law enforcement authorities may believe that these white perpetrators were just kids being kids and there is more concern about possible damage to the future of the perpetrators then to seeing justice for the victim.
Failure to fully investigate this incident as a hate crime will be a travesty of justice. Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change would like to see a full transparent investigation of this incident by the State of New Hampshire. We are demanding that both the Chief of Police of Claremont, NH and the state’s attorney general classify this as a hate crime and investigate it accordingly. We also demand that both the Chief and the Attorney General maintain clear and transparent communication with Quincy’s family throughout the investigation. In addition, we are demanding the local public schools address system racism in their curriculum and address racist attitudes and behaviors likely occurring on their campuses.
Call To Action
Please call the city and state officials listed below and request the following:
- Continued classification of this incident, by both the local police and the state, as a hate crime
- An immediate, transparent investigation of the incident as a hate crime
- Clear, transparent, ongoing communication with Quincy’s family on the status of the investigation
Mark Chase, Chief of Police, Claremont, NH
1-603-542-9538
[email protected]
Gordon J. MacDonald, Attorney General, New Hampshire
1-603-271-3658
Please call the local school district and request the following:
- Initiate curriculum in all schools that addresses system racism
- Assess and address racist attitudes occurring on their school campuses, amongst the student body as well as from teachers and staff
Middleton K. McGoodwin, Superintendent
School Administrative Unit #6 (SAU6)
1-603-543-4200
[email protected]
Brian Rapp, Chair
Claremont School Board
1-603-543-4200
[email protected]
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 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.