To: Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States
Expand Investigation into Ferguson, Missouri's Police Department
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has announced the Department of Justice will be investigating the shooting death of Michael Brown in Fergusson, MO. However, this investigation needs to be expanded into the apparent ongoing racial profiling by the Ferguson PD.
Why is this important?
Witnesses say that Brown, a teenager, had his hands up and was compliant before being fatally shot by police after allegedly stealing gum or cigarettes from a local store.
However, the behavior of the overall Ferguson Police Department is suspect. While African-Americans make up approximately 65% of the town's population, they account for over 80% of traffic stops.
It's a positive step that the Department of Justice is investigating the shooting, but they should expand the investigation into an overall inquiry into whether or not Ferguson authorities have been violating the civil rights of their citizens.