Gambians petition US government to end racism and police brutality
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Citizens of The Gambia Monday expressed grave concern over the death by shooting of a compatriot, Momodou Lamin Sisay, by the US police in Georgia involving the Snellville and Gwinett County police departments on 29 May, 2020.
“We consider the death of Momodou as a gross violation of his human rights in which the police employed excessive force and violence.
“We do not think that a traffic stop should culminate into a fatal shooting of a man by Police Officers who are expected to be well trained, professional and disciplined, as well as his protector,” the protesters said in a petition made available to PANA here Monday.
The petition added: “Hence we hereby call on the Government of the United States of America to take all necessary steps with urgency and thoroughness to investigate this incident to ensure justice for Momodou and accountability of officers responsible for his murder.”
Citizens of the Gambia pointed out that this petition was coming in the wake of the senseless, blatant and racially motivated murder of George Floyd by an officer of the Minneapolis police department on 25th May 2020.
“As Africans, we are deeply concerned at the consistent and constant spate of police shootings of Black people in the United States of America.
“In most of these cases, the Police and US authorities would seek to construct and promote a stereotypical narrative that blames the victims for their death. It is only when police videos are obtained that it became glaringly evident that the officers actually acted wrongfully and illegally towards Black victims, leading to their violent death,” the petition said.
Citizens of the Gambia also called on the US government to release the police videos on the shooting of Momodou Sisay.
They also called on the US government to conduct thorough investigations of all incidents of police brutality against blacks in the United States and ensure full Justice and accountability.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 08Jun2020
