Message from Troy Davis’s family to Michael Brown’s family and the people of Ferguson

TO THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL BROWN AND THE PEOPLE OF FERGUSON, FROM THE FAMILY OF TROY DAVIS

We are writing to express our heartfelt condolences on the brutal killing of your loved one, Michael Brown. My family knows, all too well, the pain of losing a loved one at the hands of state violence. Our family extends our love and our support to you, and wish there were something more we could do to lessen the pain of your loss.
We are also writing to express our solidarity with all those in Ferguson who are standing for justice for Mike Brown, who are demanding accountability, and who are organizing against the racism and dehumanization that is at the root of Michael’s killing and so many other examples of state violence and racist violence against black men and boys in our communities.
Our voices are added to yours, that there be no more families plunged into grief, as your family is mourning, as my family grieves still, like the still-grieving families of Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Jordan Davis, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, and Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.
We must continue to stand up and speak out until there is justice for Mike Brown and so many others.
We must continue to stand up and speak out until all young men and women in this country are seen for who they are–human beings deserving to be treated with respect, with dignity, and with equality.
In solidarity, and with sorrow,
Kimberly Davis, sister of Troy Anthony Davis (innocent death row prisoner executed by the state of Georgia on September 21, 2011)
on behalf of the Davis family

Kimberly Davis, sister of Troy Davis: “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!”

Troy Davis’s nephew, 20-yo De’Jaun, in solidarity with Mike Brown and Ferguson