Mississippi: Protesters Demand Meeting After Kohen Wiley No-Charge Decision
Dozens gathered outside the Sillers Building in Jackson to question Attorney General Lynn Fitch's ruling that a police officer's use of force was justifiable in the death of a one-year-old.
By Eric Coleman ·
The Sillers Building in Jackson serves as the headquarters for the Mississippi Attorney General's office. On Monday, the day before Kohen Wiley would have turned two, a crowd of demonstrators occupied the lobby and the street outside to challenge the state's legal conclusion in her death.
Dozens of protesters, including civil rights advocates and family members of other victims of police violence, chanted for justice. They sought a direct meeting with Attorney General Lynn Fitch to discuss her decision to decline criminal charges against the officer involved in the killing of the one-year-old.
Fitch stated that her investigation determined the officer's use of force was justifiable. Michelle Williams, the attorney general's chief of staff, explained the office's position to reporters. "It is a tragic turn of events, but we follow the law," Williams said. "We follow the facts to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to bring charges."
Danielle Holmes of the MS Poor People's Campaign argued that the attorney general owed an explanation to Kohen's parents. "She needs and she owes the Kohen Wiley’s parents an answer as to why she feels a cop killer, racist cop killer that gunned down a one year old is justifiable, especially when he violated all police training," Holmes said.
Williams indicated that Fitch was currently in Grenada and would be traveling in northern Mississippi. When reporters requested Fitch's schedule, Williams said they were required to file a formal public records request to obtain the information.
Marquell Bridges, president and founder of the Building Bridges Coalition, expressed frustration regarding the pattern of outcomes in the region. "Over and over the denial of justice. This ain’t first in Senatobia," Bridges said. "We are tired. You will not kill our children. You will not kill our babies. We should have stopped it with Andrew Joseph III. We should have stopped it with Tamir Rice."
Kohen's parents, Eaveon Williams and Vellesiya Wiley, stood quietly among the supporters during the demonstration. The group pledged to continue requesting a meeting with Fitch and to ask for a re-examination of the case.
Source: WLBT
