URBAN LEAGUE LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ROBERT BROOKS, BEATEN TO DEATH BY CORRECTION OFFICERS WHILE RESTRAINED
NEW YORK (December 31, 2024) -- The following statement in response to Robert Brooks' death at the hands of New York correctional officers was issued by National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and the leaders of the New York Urban League Affiliates: Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, Urban League of Rochester; Sorraya Sampson, Urban League of Westchester County; Arva Rice, New York Urban League; Jeffrey Johnson, Urban League of Long Island; Thomas Beauford, Jr., Buffalo Urban League; and Jennifer Lesko, Broome County Urban League:
"We were appalled by the footage of a room full of New York State correctional officers and several officers taking turns beating Robert Brooks, who was handcuffed and incarcerated at the Marcy Correctional Facility. Mr. Brooks, a son of Rochester, became bloodied and unresponsive and later died. Unfortunately, this video rekindles memories of the police murder of George Floyd where an officer choked Mr. Floyd to death while other officers stood by. These types of actions have become far too commonplace and substantive actions must be taken to protect citizens to ensure they are treated as human beings throughout all parts of the justice system.
"To be clear, abusing one’s badge and position to allegedly beat a defenseless man to death is not a sign of power but one of oppression. True power would have been if fellow officers intervened to protect Mr. Brooks. True power would involve creating a law enforcement culture where such senseless violence would be unthinkable in the first instance and officers with repeated allegations of abuse – like in this incident – would no longer wear a badge.
"We are encouraged that Attorney General Letitia James is investigating Mr. Brooks' death and that Governor Kathy Hochul has announced her intent to terminate the officers involved. These actions are the first steps in bringing about justice for Mr. Brooks. However, we strongly urge the state legislature and the Governor to pass new laws reinforcing the duty to intervene for correctional officers and strengthening officer discipline. This is an opportunity to create meaningful change.
"The Urban League Movement remains committed to protecting the civil rights of individuals impacted by the justice system and achieving police accountability. A safe and just society must protect all its vulnerable members. To the Brooks family, we extend our heartfelt condolences and stand with them in seeking justice and change."
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