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.
In April 2015, Michael Slager shot and killed unarmed Walter Scott. Thursday of this week, a Federal judge sentenced Slager to 20 years in prison for the unlawful killing and civil rights violation, to which he plead guilty. Whereas the average sentence for police killings due to excessive force is two years, we hope that this 20 year sentence is a step toward greater and continued accountability. Law enforcement no longer gets a free pass. Law enforcement officials do not have free reign to kill black and brown boys.
As M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, we recognize this as a victory but call for continued accountability in all instances where there is excessive use of force. We join with civil rights organizations to call on the federal government to continue to investigate and review the policies and practices of the North Charleston Police Department, which has a history of racially motivated policing. Additionally, we call on the Department of Justice to continue their work investigating specific cases and reviewing any pattern or practices of bias and abuse in police departments across the country. This continued review would provide the oversight and accountability needed to ensure that communities are protected and that no more of our sons are lost unnecessarily. Our goal is for our sons and law enforcement officers to make it home safely every night, and we believe that with proper oversight and accountability, this is possible.
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.