After Mayor Ginther Thwarts Investigation, Columbus Faith Leaders Deliver Petition to DOJ Civil Rights Division
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, 540-280-3393
Rev. Dan Clark, dclark@faithinpubliclife.org, 614-648-3663
After Mayor Ginther Thwarts Investigation, Columbus Faith Leaders Deliver Petition to DOJ Civil Rights Division
Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens:
“As a citizen of Columbus and a religious leader for more than thirty-two years in this city, it is clear to me that there are patterns of systemic racism within the department which leads to practices of excessive force, biased policing, and unconstitutional practices by the Columbus Police.”
Columbus, OH – On Thursday, September 16, Columbus faith leaders joined together virtually before delivering a petition to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division demanding a Pattern-or-Practice Investigation into the Columbus Division of Police. Columbus has made national news for police use of deadly force including the police killings of Casey Goodson Jr., by a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy, and Andre Hill, Miles Jackson and Ma’Khia Bryant by Columbus Police. In response, faith leaders will deliver a petition signed by more than 100 faith leaders calling for a Pattern-or-Practice Investigation by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. This is not the first time that the Columbus community has asked the DOJ for an investigation. Columbus faith leaders are not interested in a review from the DOJ, which is similar to the repeated and costly consultant reports that Mayor Ginther continues to fund, with no real change. Earlier this year, Columbus Police Accountability Project made the same request.
During the virtual presser, a video was played of Ms. Adrienne Hood, the mother of Henry Green who was murdered by two Columbus police officers in 2016, reading the petition in front of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
People of faith are not willing to allow Mayor Ginther to continue to deceive the community by avoiding their request for a Pattern-or-Practice investigation.
For video of the event, click here.
For video of Ms. Adrienne Hood in front of the DOJ, click here.
For the full petition and list of signers, click here.
Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens, First Congregational Church
“As a citizen of Columbus and a religious leader for more than thirty-two years in this city, it is clear to me that there are patterns of systemic racism within the department which leads to practices of excessive force, biased policing, and unconstitutional practices by the Columbus Police.”
Atty. Sean L. Walton, Walton + Brown LLP
“This is not an outside the box request. It’s something that happens in cities that have decided to put the people above the police. This demand is urgent, it’s necessary, it has been made and we cannot allow this review to take the place of what needs to happen to heal this city.”
Rev. Dr. Jefferey P. Kee, New Faith Baptist Church of Christ
“We need an overhaul of this department. We don’t need anything in theory in terms of a review. We need something in reality that is going to change this city for the betterment of all citizens. We need an investigation.”
###
Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.