NAACP: ‘We must push for solutions’

May 13, 2015 6:54 AM

Site staff,

Posted: May 13, 2015 6:54 AM

by Site staff

Tony Robinson Gallery — Photo by Beth SkogenA grieving city: An outpouring of emotion in the wake of Tony Robinson’s death was seen, heard and felt throughout the city, but perhaps most palpably outside the house on Williamson Street, the scene of the shooting.

The Dane County NAACP released a statement regarding the shooting death of Tony Robinson around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

President Greg Jones extended thoughts and prayers to the Robinson family and asked for a continued push for solutions within the criminal justice system.

Here is the statement in its entirety:

The Dane County NAACP extends our thoughts and prayers to the family of Tony Robinson, the 19 year old African American male who lost his life in a police-involved shooting last night.

Each new case of an African American person killed is a grim reminder of the urgent need for reform in the use of force against American citizens. Although excessive use of force disproportionately affects African Americans and people living in poverty, it can affect people everywhere regardless of race, age or gender.

Whenever this kind of tragedy occurs, questions arise about police training and appropriate use of force. We must remind the investigating authorizes of the need for transparency, that black lives do matter, and sadly, another family is now experiencing the pain of loss in Madison, Wisconsin.

We must push for solutions within our criminal justice system that will help keep our communities safe, our children protected and our officers properly trained.

While there will be reactions from community leaders, faith leaders and concerned citizens, the NAACP calls for calm and vigilant monitoring of events as they unfold. We will work with the Madison community and the Wisconsin NAACP State Conference of Branches to ensure justice for Tony Robinson.