The #BlackLivesMatter movement has been pushed out of the media spotlight almost entirely as journalists devote their attention instead to “the resistance.” Still, it’s worth noting that only a year ago, during the 2016 campaign season, Hillary Clinton had joined forces with the “Mothers of the Movement” and was issuing tweets and statements regarding some of the most high-profile police-involved shootings.
"The death of Alton Sterling is a tragedy, and my prayers are with his family." —Hillary pic.twitter.com/Yky4ZxfbLN
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 7, 2016
Alton Sterling Matters.
Philando Castile Matters.
Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/GmUFN9sDH6— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 7, 2016
Alton and Philando's deaths are the latest in a long, painful litany of African Americans killed in police incidents—123 so far this year.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 8, 2016
Sandra Bland. Freddie Gray. Michael Brown. Walter Scott. Tamir Rice. Eric Garner. Now Alton Sterling & Philando Castile. #blacklivesmatter
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 7, 2016
Alton Sterling’s shooting in Baton Rouge, La., was caught in graphic detail on cell phone video, and the Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation. That investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence to pursue federal charges against the officers, which Sterling’s family members learned Tuesday from news reports, not from the Justice Department.
Justice Department won't charge two white police officers in death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La. https://t.co/kci773SoRl
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 2, 2017
Add @AP to list of outlets reporting the #AltonSterling decision. Meanwhile, in #BatonRouge, public officials still say they have no info https://t.co/Sbj4Xom5m0
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 2, 2017
Many elected officials in BR angry over HOW the news was delivered instead of what decision was made in #AltonSterling case. https://t.co/s97LZWhPlH
— Terry L Jones (@tjonesreporter) May 2, 2017
Hearing exact same sentiment from BR activists: Not shocked by apparent decision, but angry over leak—& that Sterling family left in dark. https://t.co/XwsI4mlIQ0
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 2, 2017
Front page of @theadvocatebr for Wednesday, May 3, 2017. pic.twitter.com/ZMDuiPi21X
— Perryn Keys (@PerrynKeys) May 3, 2017
Widely reported yesterday that there will be no charges. Gov's office wasn't told what the decision is, nor what time announce will be made. https://t.co/a5M48MMpNF
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) May 3, 2017
Officials cleared up the confusion with an afternoon press conference Wednesday, during which they confirmed that the feds were handing the case and related evidence over to Louisiana for investigation into state criminal violations.
Attorney General Jeff Landry Releases Statement on #AltonSterling Investigation: https://t.co/LOuSYyR2j9 pic.twitter.com/gxIYcAmUCv
— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) May 3, 2017
"All prosecutors & agents in this case have come to the conclusion that insufficient evidence exists" to bring fed. charges, Amundson says.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Amundson, who previously headed criminal division for Baton Rouge U.S. Attorney's Office, stressing unanimity of decision for no charges. https://t.co/UmsCSTbLUR
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
The Advocate’s Bryn Stole summarized the findings shared during the press conference.
"The entire encounter … lasted about 90 seconds," Amundson says. Encounter w/ Sterling happened v quickly & events in "rapid succession."
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Sterling resisted the two @BRPD officers. Salamoni drew gun, pointed it at Sterling's head before Sterling was tased & taken to the ground.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
One of the @brpd officers yelled "Going for a gun, he's got a gun. Gun!" before Salamoni fired, Amundson says. Loaded .38 recovered after.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
As a convicted felon on probation, Sterling could not legally possess a firearm, despite a dubious claim from Think Progress.
CRAZY IDEA: Maybe convicted felons shouldn't try to pull guns on cops? #AltonSterling https://t.co/JbcXD2l3KK
— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) May 2, 2017
"Life or death" struggle lasted total of 30 seconds, Amundson said. Video shows Sterling's hand wasn't restrained.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Two use-of-force experts criticized Salamoni & Lake's actions during the encounter, but agreed that Salamoni acted reasonably when he fired.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Recklessness, actions that escalated encounter or bad decisions by the police officers aren't fed. civil rights violations, Amundson says.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
USAttny: "being reckless, escalating a situation that could have been de-escalated," not grounds for federal DOJ prosecution #lalege
— Rebekah Allen (@rebekahallen) May 3, 2017
Entire federal file will be turned over to @AGJeffLandry's Office, Amundson says. And w/ that, officials walk off without taking questions.
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Attorneys for the family said that Officer Salamoni said "I'm going to kill you, bitch," and held a gun to the head of Alton Sterling
— Grace Toohey (@grace_2e) May 3, 2017
Sandra, Alton's aunt, said details of fatal encounter described to her by fed officials "far worse" than the public videos of the shooting. https://t.co/eQi1mEvVLE
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Sandra Sterling describes what fed officials told her Salamoni did before shooting Alton: "He put a gun to his head & said I'll kill you." pic.twitter.com/lhh2VKqBpA
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
Both officers in #AltonSterling shooting have responded thru lawyers, both expressing relief #BatonRougehttps://t.co/GvkHJ4bSvv
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
Comment from Howie Lake attorney, one of the BRPD officers involved in #altonsterling shooting. He is "relieved." pic.twitter.com/uRBNdUuNL6
— Rebekah Allen (@rebekahallen) May 3, 2017
Arrests were made Tuesday night after protesters blocked traffic near the convenience store where Sterling was killed.
Veda Sterling, aunt of Alton Sterling, leading chant out here in parking lot where nephew was shot. pic.twitter.com/Z1lGlbKZA0
— Bryn Stole (@brynstole) May 3, 2017
LATE NIGHT: Protesters block Airline Highway late Tuesday, spurring @BRPD action & a few arrests, more to come via @brynstole @theadvocatebr pic.twitter.com/9c7uZrsk2G
— Hilary Scheinuk (@hscheinukphoto) May 3, 2017
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards held a joint press conference Wednesday as well, expressing confidence in state prosecutors.
Broome: "Many in the community who were hoping & praying for a different decision will understandably be disappointed" #AltonSterling
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
Broome emphasizes DOJ decision does not mean @BRPD officers "acted appropriately," it just means they didn't meet standard #AltonSterling
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
#BatonRouge mayor also reminding people that Council just appropriated $2M plus for #bodycameras #AltonSterling https://t.co/acAdhqyVhq
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
"Officers will soon participate in an implicit bias training program to improve fair, impartial policing" –@MayorBroome #AltonSterling
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
"While many…may not agree with their decision today, it is incumbent upon us to make sure peace remains" -gov #AltonSterling
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
"We still have too many ppl in the community afraid of the police, and too many police afraid of the community" -Edwards #AltonSterling
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 3, 2017
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Related:
DeRay McKesson a little richer after settlement from Baton Rouge arrest, lousy jailhouse breakfast https://t.co/wRDabZgfQ8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 23, 2016
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