Racial Justice Organization Reacts to Indictment of Amber Guyer for Murder of Unarmed Black Neighbor — “The grand jury’s indictment of Amber Guyger is an important reminder that police derive their authority from the people and it is the people, functioning as members of grand juries, who must insist that police authority be exercised in a lawful manner and who must hold police accountable when they fail to do so. Guyger’s indictment sends a strong message that law enforcement officers are not above the law. It is past time for all Americans to demand constitutional and effective policing that respects individual rights and promotes the sanctity of life. Holding law enforcement accountable for deadly and unlawful police shootings promotes public safety and is the best path for increasing trust between officers and the communities they serve. Guyger’s shooting of Botham Jean shocks the conscience and reminds us that racism continues to infect policing in our country.”
