For Immediate Release: February 4, 2022
Contact: media@colorofchange.com
COLOR OF CHANGE JOINED ACTIVISTS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO DEMAND JUSTICE FOR MATTHEW “ZADOK” WILLIAMS AT PETITION DELIVERY
On Jan 12th, DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Thurmond denied an opportunity to receive the #JusticeforZadok: Demand Justice for Matthew “Zadok” Williams petition, which gained over 35,000 signatures, from the Williams family
Decatur, GA – On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, at 12:00 pm EST, Color Of Change partnered with the Black Futurists Group, Movement 4 Black Lives, DeKalb Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Georgia NAACP, and State Rep. Renitta Shannon to support the #JusticeforZadok: Demand Justice for Matthew “Zadok” Williams petition delivery to Dekalb CEO Mike Thurmond’s office. The Williams family intended on delivering the petition to County Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Thurmond that demands Dekalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston indict and prosecute Sgt Devon Perry and all officers involved in the murder of Matthew “Zadok” Williams and terminate Sergeant Devon Perry’s employment immediately. However, CEO Michael L. Thurmond was absent and activists were barred from going upstairs in the DeKalb County Courthouse.
It has been nearly nine months since Dekalb Sgt. Devon Perry murdered Matthew “Zadok” Williams in his own home after he was falsely accused of being a trespasser by a new neighbor. Sgt. Perry is still working despite violating four Dekalb County police policies. In March 2021, Hahnah Williams launched a petition on Color Of Change’s OrganizeFor platform to demand Dekalb County Police Department take immediate accountability for the murder of Matthew “Zadok” Williams. To date, the petition has gained nearly 40,000 signatures. On Thursday, January 27th, Color Of Change hosted a #JusticeForZadok Squad Textathon where members sent out over 10,000 texts mobilizing Color Of Change members in Georgia to send a letter to CEO Michael L. Thurmond demanding that Sgt Devon Perry employment be terminated. Color Of Change will continue advocating for the Williams family, demanding that Sgt Devon Perry be fired immediately.
“Sgt Devon Perry and all the officers involved in the murder of Matthew “Zadok” Williams failed to address this emergency as a mental health crisis. Over 30,000 Color Of Change members signed the #JusticeforZadok: Demand Justice For Matthew “Zadok” Williams petition. This count alone shows how urgent true criminal justice reform and police accountability are.” said Naima Savage, Interim Senior Organizing Director of Color Of Change. “DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Thurmond, DA Sherry Boston, and Dekalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos are overdue in acknowledging the demands of the Williams family and holding Sgt Devon Perry and all the officers involved accountable.”
“Matthew Zadok Williams was my baby, my youngest of six children, my only son. How could this happen? How could it be that my son was unjustly shot in his own home and left to die with no medical aid rendered by an officer who violated 4 police policies during the killing? Dekalb CEO Mike Thurmond has allowed this officer to continue working facing no accountability. Our family appreciates the nearly 40,000 people who signed our petition demanding that this officer be fired and prosecuted.” said Chris Ann, mother of Matthew “Zadok” Williams. “We are disappointed that CEO Thurmond was not present to accept the petition but we continue to be strengthened by Color of Change, Dekalb SCLC, NAACP, Black Futurist Group, and many other organizations and individuals who support our fight for justice for my beloved son. ”
Devin Barrington-Ward, Community Organizer, Founder, and Managing Director of Black Futurists Group invited key activists including Reverend Woodall and Gerald Griggs who were a part of the petition delivery. The Williams family has met with and rallied at Dekalb CEO Mike Thurmond’s office nearly every Wednesday since July 2021 to demand Sgt. Devon Perry’s employment is terminated. Yet, Sgt. Devon Perry is still working and CEO Thurmond continues to ignore the family and the community. Color Of Change is disappointed with Thurmond’s absence and while District Attorney Boston plans on sharing a public decision on the case in the future, the family will continue to fight for accountability for Matthew “Zadok” Williams.
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org