National Faith Leader Laments Police Killing of Deon Kay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2020

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MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123

Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393

National Faith Leader Laments Police Killing of Deon Kay

Washington, DC — On Wednesday, September 2nd, Deon Kay was shot and killed by police in Washington, DC.

Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life:

“Black lives matter to God. Deon Kay was made in the image of God and should be alive today. I’m praying for Deon’s family, everyone who grieves his loss, and community members living in fear of police violence. When Black people are shot by agents of the state, we do not live in a free country. 

As a pastor, I believe that protest is prophecy. I am grateful to those in the street calling for change. The Metropolitan Police Department must stand down and respect the rights and grievances of people protesting police violence.

Mayor Bowser must release all police body camera footage of the killing, as well as the identity of the officer who shot Deon. This killing demands a full and transparent investigation and a reimagining of public safety. To build safer communities for everyone, we must defund police and invest public funds in policies that affirm Black life instead of taking it.”

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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, we are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level. Our network of 50,000 leaders engage in bold moral action that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.