NAACP Responds to Tragic Shooting of Ta’kiya Young
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2023
Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON - In response to the tragic shooting of Ta'Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant mother, at the hands of Blendon County police, NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson andTom Roberts, President of the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP released the following statements:
"Let's be clear – law enforcement should never have the power to act as judge, jury, and executioner. When the life of an unarmed pregnant woman is taken at the hands of police, it exposes a system that is utterly broken," said NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson. "Ta'Kiya's unjust murder represents a gross misuse of power, and our country must pass comprehensive police reform legislation to end the state-sanctioned violence that has torn Black communities apart for generations."
"The Ohio State Conference of the NAACP mourns the loss of a life taken from us far too soon, along with the future of Ta'Kiya's unborn daughter, who was just weeks away from entering this world," said NAACP Ohio State Conference President, Tom Roberts. "We demand full accountability from the officers responsible. Families and communities are being swiftly and consistently torn apart because of the rapid acts of force enacted by those sworn to protect and serve. We need answers and accountability. Nothing else will do."
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ABOUT NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.