Submitted by Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON — This week, the Stark County coroner ruled that the death of 53-year-old Canton, Ohio resident, Frank Tyson was a homicide. Tyson died on April 18 following a violent interaction while in the custody of the Canton police department. Tyson, who was seen on video repeatedly telling officers ‘I can’t breathe,’ laid motionless for approximately six minutes until officers checked him for a pulse. Earlier this year, NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for a federal investigation into Tyson’s death.
“How many times must we hear the final cries of another unarmed Black man begging for air? This is not normal,” said Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, NAACP. “The broken system of law enforcement and the elected officials who fail to reform it are contributing to the continued destruction of Black families and communities. We are long overdue for change, and accountability. Frank Tyson’s life mattered. His family and the community deserve a thorough investigation into the tragic events that resulted in his death. The NAACP will continue to push the Department of Justice and local authorities to respond expeditiously to this tragedy. We’ll use every resource at our disposal to secure justice and advance reforms necessary to protect our community and save Black lives.”
Following President Johnson’s letter to the DOJ, the NAACP’s Stark County Branch President, Hector McDaniel, and President Thomas West, Greater Stark County Urban League hosted a social justice town hall to advance the conversation amongst local elected officials, law enforcement, and members of the community. President McDaniel provided the following reaction:
“While a potential federal investigation looms, the Stark County Branch of the NAACP remains committed to the local fight for accountability and change. Make no mistake – this is not the first time that Canton’s Black community has been impacted by police related deaths. We are tired of waiting for answers. Frank’s family deserves to hear from our local leaders on how they will address this profound loss. No one is above the law, especially not those who are supposed to enforce it.”
To learn more about NAACP’s work to end police violence, visit our website.