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NAACP Statement on the Michael Dunn Verdict: “There Are No
Winners in this Case”
Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida State NAACP:
“The State of Florida has spoken and 47-year old Michael
Dunn will have to answer for some of his crimes relating to
having opened fire on an SUV filled with unarmed black
teenagers. Today a jury convicted Dunn on four counts for
the attempted murder of Tevin Thompson, Leland Brunson, and
Tommy Storns, the three teens in the car with Jordan. The
judge declared mistrial on the count of first-degree murder
that applied to the death of Jordan Davis. |
Jordan Davis |
“While prosecutors have stated they will retry Michael Dunn
for the murder of Jordan Davis, there are no winners in this
case. Two parents will forever remain without their only
son; three other young men had their lives changed forever
and the State of Florida and the country as a whole is left
to deal with yet another senseless murder of an innocent
young man whose life was cut short for no other reason than
the color of his skin. Young, black men are not thugs or
suspicious by definition; and this important verdict
reconfirms that those who commit crimes based on those
misplaced preconceptions will not go unpunished.
“The NAACP will continue to push for a change in the laws
that make these types of crimes more prevalent and the
punishment for their commission, less likely. Stand Your
Ground laws create an environment that places far too many
people, especially young African-American men, at risk of
losing their lives as a result of nothing more than the
perception that someone "feels" threatened. The only
possible result of assigning life and death decision-making
authority to anyone with a gun is the unnecessary loss of
innocent lives.
“The NAACP will continue to work with the State of Florida
and the other 33 states across the country who currently
maintain some form of stand your ground law to repeal these
inherently discriminatory laws. People should be allowed to
live without constant fear that their lives are at risk just
because of someone's offensive – often race-based –
perception. Inappropriate stereotyping should not carry a
penalty of death for black youth.”
Niaz Kasravi, NAACP Criminal Justice Director:
"This case is a perfect example of how stand your ground
laws are illogical and often lead to tragic outcomes,
especially to people of color who often end up on the wrong
side of the weapon,” stated Niaz Kasravi, PhD, NAACP
Criminal Justice Director. To help prevent future tragedies
such as the death of Jordan Davis, we must repeal stand your
grounds laws and bring back common sense self-defense
policies in every state across this country.?
Kevin Myles, NAACP Region 5 Director:
“I'm happy that Michael Dunn will now be off the streets,
but my heart is heavy for that fact that he was not held
accountable for the young life he stole,” stated Kevin
Myles, NAACP Region 5 Director. “That said, I applaud the
prosecutors’ decision to retry the first degree murder
charge and look forward to justice being served.” |
