For Immediate Release December 21, 2014

Contacts:

Michele Setteducato, michele@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 732-614-3818

Kayla Keller, kayla@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 281-682-6212

“The ColorOfChange community is deeply saddened to learn about the killing of two NYPD officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, in Brooklyn and the attempted killing of the shooter’s ex-girlfriend, Shaneka Thompson. It is a tragedy anytime a life is lost to senseless violence. We send our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the two officers that lost their lives yesterday.

“Our community knows all too well the grief and heartache associated with losing a loved one to violence. Yesterday is another tragic reminder that we have an enormous amount of work to do to keep our communities safe. We condemn any and all forms of violence, including violence perpetrated by and against police officers.

“ColorOfChange will continue to support peaceful protesters fighting for a higher standard of policing in cities across the country. The deaths of these officers in the line of duty should not result in retaliation or more militarized, violent attempts by law enforcement to suppress protests or target civilians. We caution the efforts by police unions and others to draw misleading connections with this tragedy to the growing nationwide movement to hold officers accountable.

“We urge the media to push back against claims not rooted in facts. This is a sad and terrible incident that troubles all of us working for more just and safer country.”

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With more than 1 million members, ColorOfChange.org is the nation’s largest online civil rights organization.