News

August 2022

Hightower statement on Aug. 30 fatal police shooting

The following is a statement from Stephanie Hightower, President & CEO of the Columbus Urban League, regarding the latest police-involved shooting:

“Our hearts and prayers go out to family members who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Please know that our entire community mourns with you.

“Yesterday’s shooting evokes painful, conflicting responses. We understand that serving a felony warrant creates a highly volatile and dangerous situation. And yet, the body camera video is as gut-wrenching as is the fact that another Black man lost his life.

“It’s the third police-involved shooting in just over a week. These incidents clearly demonstrate why many of us demanded that a civilian review board and inspector general be put in place and why we concur with the Mayor and Police Chief’s decision to release the body camera footage to the community.

“No matter the ultimate conclusion, our community deserves an independent, thorough and transparent investigation by all appropriate entities. We are putting together a community forum this Saturday so that we can began to answer deeply troubling questions and find a path toward healing and reconciliation.”

 

Join your Columbus Urban League, in partnership with the Equity Now Coalition and Urban One Columbus, for a special town hall discussion this Saturday (Sept. 3) from 10-11:30 a.m. Recent shootings across the city call us to come together and heal, rebuild trust and ultimately address the need for change in our community.

Elected officials, city and religious leaders, mental health experts and more will join us for this important conversation, led by Stephanie Hightower and Jerry Saunders, and broadcast live on the Power 107.5FM/106.3FM and Magic 95.5FM.

 

Read/watch ongoing coverage of the issue:

President Hightower on CNN’s New Day
The Columbus Dispatch
CBS News
The Washington Post
WOSU/NPR News
WSYX/ABC6