NAACP Statement on Decision in Tamir Rice Case

(Cleveland) – The decision by a grand jury to not indict the police officers involved in the shooting death of Tamir Rice may result in civil disobedience, according to a coalition of organizations put together by the NAACP.

The national media has been critical of the outcome in the Tamir Rice case. Garmback was driving the police cruiser.

Prosecutors who recommended bringing no charges against two officers in the shooting of Tamir Rice said they were required to reveal to a grand jury they didn’t think a conviction was possible.

Sims wasn’t testifying as a paid representative of the Denver District Attorney’s office, and he would not comment to The Colorado Independent about the Grand Jury investigation. It reflects an utter disregard for the lives of the city’s black residents.

Protesters ignored police orders to stay to the right of double yellow lines in the middle of the road, and at times refused to follow the route that officers blocked off for them.

“The way prosecutor McGinty has mishandled the grand jury process has compounded the grief of this family”, the statement said.

Sign the petition now to demand justice for Tamir Rice.

The author, Ari Melber, is critical of McGinty for seeking a non-indictment, and taking a defense oriented position — rather than presenting neutral evidence for consideration.

Yelling, “Shut it down” and “no justice no peace”, and other chants, the protesters were detoured and found themselves walking in downtown Cleveland where most of the area was blocked off by the police. Not only do they want the transcripts from the Grand Jury released, but they also want prosecutor McGinty removed from office. The officer shot Rice less than two seconds after pulling alongside him in a park on November 22, 2014.

“A reasonable officer would position themselves where they would have some space between themselves and the potential threat, where they could have some time and cover”, Gilbert said.

Meanwhile, a member of the City Council, Jeffrey Johnson, announced that same evening that he would seek negligent-homicide charges in the case under city law, which, “unfortunately”, he tweeted, “is the highest local city law that can be charged”.