FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2018

MEDIA CONTACT: Troy Blackwell, 646.828.0844

Troy.Blackwell@berlinrosen.com

Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, issued the following statement in response to Dallas police officer, Amber Guyger being  free on bond, after being charged with manslaughter in a bizarre shooting that killed Botham Jean.

Scott Roberts, Senior Campaign Director at Color Of Change:

“Color Of Change sends its condolences to the family of Botham Shem Jean during this difficult time.  Botham was a young Black man with promise and dreams, and his life was cut short due to the reckless actions of Officer Amy Guyer. Botham had no criminal history and was a model citizen. Black people are being killed in some of the most arbitrary ways. If black people are not safe in our own homes from the prevalence of police brutality, we cannot expect to feel safe outside of them.

It is clear that officer Amy Guyger received preferential treatment throughout this investigation because she was a police officer. Anyone else would have been arrested immediately, however, the Dallas Police Department abused their power by protecting Amy’s identity for days and choosing where to book her. District Attorneys have an obligation to uphold the law and hold abusive police officers accountable for their actions. Charging officer Amber Guyger only with manslaughter after using unnecessary deadly force, sends a signal to police everywhere that even the most senseless killings get the bare minimum charges. Color Of Change and its members demand that DA Faith Johnson ensure murder charges against Amber Guyger for the murder of Botham Jean and call for Amber Guyger to be fired.”