Clay Welcomes Congressional Black Caucus to Ferguson as Leaders Reclaim Dr. King's Legacy, Demand Transformational Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2015                               

MEDIA CONTACT:

STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

Clay Welcomes Congressional Black Caucus to Ferguson as Leaders Reclaim

Dr. King’s Legacy, Demand Transformational Change

CBC Members Pledge to Pursue Change via the Ballot Box, Federal Legislation,

the Justice System and Local Law Enforcement

FERGUSON, MISSOURI – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri welcomed new Congressional Black Caucus Chairman, Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D) North Carolina, and nine of his CBC colleagues to a joyous tribute honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the ongoing pursuit of justice at the historic Wellspring United Methodist Church in the heart of Ferguson, Missouri.

Pastor F. Willis Johnson, Jr. greeted the overflow crowd of regular congregants, media, civic activists, and elected officials who received stirring messages from Congressman Clay; Chairman Butterfield; and Congressman Andre Carson (D) Indiana.

In his remarks, Congressman Clay said in part:

“Our community and our country have been forever changed by the tragic police killing of Michael Brown…and similar deaths of young, unarmed black men across this country.

These tragedies have illuminated, with the harsh light of truth…the deep divisions and very real disparities that we have yet to overcome as a nation, and in this community as well.

Not the least of which is the complete failure of local authorities here in St. Louis County to honestly pursue justice for Mike Brown’s family.

In recent days, a member of the Darren Wilson grand jury has sued the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney for the right to publicly expose what really happened in that room.

And an ethics complaint has been filed against that same prosecutor, alleging 15 counts of misconduct…including, knowingly allowing false testimony, and delivering outdated and unconstitutional instructions to the grand jury.

Two days after Mike Brown was killed, I called Attorney General Holder and asked for his urgent help. And I’m very thankful that the Justice Department responded to my request with great strength.

There are two ongoing parallel federal investigations into this case.

And I want to assure you that the pursuit of justice for Mike Brown is not over…in fact, it’s just beginning.

We’re not going to just sweep this under the rug because it looks bad, or because it makes some of us feel uncomfortable.

You know what…all of us should feel uncomfortable.

We should be upset and angry…I know I am.

We need to be outraged when local law enforcement and the justice system repeatedly allows young, unarmed black men to encounter police…and then wind up dead…with no consequences.

Not just in Ferguson…but over and over again across this country.

That shouldn’t happen in America."

And as the senior Member of Congress for this region, and the Dean of Missouri’s U.S. House delegation…I intend to stand with the courageous young people who are the next generation of our struggle.

Their energy and their passion for justice inspires all of us. And I’m proud of them.”

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