Issued: February 1, 2022
The Urban League of Louisiana continues its call for justice for the family of Ronald Greene, and, by extension, for all who stand united for justice. Since the moment of Ronald Greene’s last breath on May 10, 2019, there was an effort by some state officials to convince Mr. Greene’s family and the public that Mr. Greene died of a car crash and not at the hands of Louisiana State Police. For almost three years, there have been unanswered questions, tight lips, lies, and passed bucks in an effort to deny Ronald Greene posthumously what he deserves – an honest accounting of the events leading up to his death after being pulled over by state police and justice for all wrongdoing. It has taken the work of investigative reporters to provide Mr. Greene’s family and the public with a more thorough inspection of Mr. Greene’s case than some of Louisiana’s own state organizations and its leaders. Is there any wonder why the level of distrust of government by communities of color remains so high?
The pernicious responses by state officials to Mr. Greene’s murder has deepened the divide between the police and government and the community. We continue to call for transparency, accountability, and action that signal that justice and fairness can be found in Louisiana policing. We continue to await the findings of the federal investigation, which we hope sheds a bright light on the criminal actions taken by those with Mr. Greene the night of his death and with anyone who has covered up the truth ever since.
We look to Governor John Bel Edwards to direct the change that will transform the system and the culture of the state police today and following the findings of the federal investigation. It is time to once and for all address the horrible pattern of excessive force directed at people of color by state police. The time for this is long overdue. We point to The National Urban League’s 21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust as an example of reform that provides a collaborative approach to build a restorative system.
In the past year, The Urban League of Louisiana has written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and to Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis demanding action for the Greene family, provided weekly updates on the investigation to the public, and created a petition signed by over 27,000 people demanding justice for Ronald Greene. We will continue to support the Greene family in their pursuit of justice and continue to advocate for a more fair and just system for all. We hope the federal investigation brings the fairness and justice that has been elusive to date but is deserved by Mr. Greene’s family and all those who stand united for justice.