Parents of slain teen unmoved by chief’s apology
WASHINGTON, USA (AP) — The parents of Michael Brown said yesterday in an interview with The Associated Press they were unmoved by the apology of the Ferguson, Missouri, police chief weeks after their unarmed 18-year-old son was killed by a police officer.
Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, called for Chief Tom Jackson to be fired, and his father, Michael Brown Sr, said rather than an apology, they would rather see Officer Darren Wilson arrested for the death of their son on August 9.
“An apology would be when Darren Wilson has handcuffs, processed and charged with murder,” Brown Sr said.
The young man, who was black, was fatally shot last month by Officer Darren Wilson, who is white.
The shooting sparked days of violent protests and racial unrest in the predominantly black community. Some residents and civil rights activists have said responding police officers were overly aggressive, noting their use of tear gas and surplus military vehicles and gear.
Jackson released a video apology to Brown’s family and the community, which is predominantly African-American in which he acknowledged that Brown’s body should have been removed from the street much sooner than it was. His remains lay uncovered on Canfield Drive, a residential street, for more than four hours while police collected evidence.
“I don’t want words, I want action,” McSpadden said, who answered “yes” when asked whether she thought Jackson should be fired.
Brown’s parents are in the nation’s capital to meet with lawmakers and lobby Congress to pass a law requiring police officers to wear cameras during their interactions with the public. A county grand jury is weighing whether to indict Wilson, and the Justice Department is investigating whether Brown’s civil rights were violated.
The parents also expressed anger at Ferguson police who wore bracelets in support of Wilson. In a letter released Friday, the Justice Department asks Jackson to “confirm our understanding” that officers in the suburban St. Louis County department won’t wear “I am Darren Wilson” bracelets while on duty.
Ferguson residents complained about the black bracelets with white lettering this week at a meeting with federal officials. The Brown’s family lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said the bracelets give an impression that the police lack impartiality in this case.
“It lets me know how they really feel about the situation, and the wrongness that they do,” McSpadden said. “How can you work for the law and act like you’re above the law?”