Issued: December 16, 2022
The Urban League of Louisiana commends Union Parish District Attorney John Belton and the Grand Jury for its decision to indict five of the law enforcement officers involved in the death of Ronald Greene on May 10, 2019. We especially applaud Union Parish District Attorney John Belton for his decision to empanel a grand jury to review the evidence and facts in this case. District Attorneys have incredible discretion on charges to pursue in any case, and DA Belton’s action should be underscored. This indictment is another very important step in our collective pursuit of justice for Ronald Greene and his family. We now call on the related law enforcement agencies to take the appropriate action of terminating and arresting the indicted officers pending trial.
So often matters of injustice happen in African American and other underserved communities, without accountability for those responsible. This indictment by the Union Parish grand jury is a step towards the type of accountability underserved communities deserve and proof that we should all continue to speak out and provide advocacy in the face of injustice. This is also a reminder of the incredible power and discretion of prosecutors we elect.
On May 19, 2021, upon the release of the leaked footage of the death of Ronald Greene, the Urban League of Louisiana joined together with like-minded partners to express the urgent need for a deeper federal investigation due to the apathetic response by the Louisiana State Police, sent letters to federal and state officials requesting action, and secured over 27,000 signatures in a petition demanding justice for Ronald Greene. This advocacy helped contribute to the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division opening a civil rights pattern or practice investigation into Louisiana State Police earlier this year. While we recognize these measures of progress, we still strive for the day where African Americans and other marginalized communities are not victims of discriminatory policing and systemic racism by law enforcement.
The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to fight with the Ronald Greene family and other advocates to make sure justice is secured. We will continue to fight for additional action to be taken to address the systemic patterns and practices of police brutality throughout our state. And the Urban League of Louisiana will always fight for African Americans and other communities seeking civil rights.
Issued: June 9, 2022
Today – The President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana, Judy Reese Morse issued the following statement:
“There is a long history of discriminatory actions, policies and practices by law enforcement in this state, including the case of Ronald Greene, who was killed at the hands of Louisiana State Police on May 10, 2019. We applaud Assistant US Attorney General Kristen Clarke and the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for today’s announcement that it is opening a civil pattern or practice investigation into Louisiana State Police which we first requested on May 25, 2021 along with National Urban League President and CEO, Marc H. Morial. While we understand the criminal investigation into the death of Mr. Greene is ongoing, we view this larger federal investigation into the Louisiana State Police as an important and monumental first step towards increasing transparency, accountability and delivering needed reforms. The Urban League of Louisiana has provided strong advocacy on this issue including the organization creating a petition that secured over 27,000 signatures, led a coalition of civil rights and community organizations in a press conference to amplify this issue, sent letters to federal and state officials requesting action, and provided weekly updates to our advocacy network and the public. The Urban League of Louisiana remains committed to providing critical advocacy for African American and other marginalized communities in their pursuit for civil rights, equity and economic self-reliance.”
Anyone with information pertinent to the United States Department of Justice’s investigation is encouraged to reach out to:
Email: Community.Louisiana@usdoj.gov
Toll-free phone: (202) 353-0684
On Wednesday we delivered the Justice for Ronald Greene petition to decision makers US Attorney General Merrick Garland, Governor John Bel Edwards, LA States Attorney General Jeff Landry, and LA State Police Colonel Lamar Davis calling for justice for Ronald Greene.
Since May 27th, more than 27,000 voices from all over the world have joined with us in speaking up for Ronald Greene. Friends and neighbors in 170 countries took a stand by adding their signature and comments, demanding justice and accountability in the case of Ronald Greene and calling for action to address the systemic patterns of police brutality in the Louisiana State Police Department.
When one voice multiples into an entire chorus crying out for justice, the results are LOUD! Thank you for raising visibility by sharing with others. Thank you for being a part of a global movement demanding justice in the face of police brutality.
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Urban League of Louisiana Releases Statement on Federal Indictment of Former Louisiana State Police Trooper
(Issued September 23, 2021)
We applaud the Department of Justice regarding today’s indictment of Jacob Brown, former Louisiana State Police trooper, for the 2019 beating of Aaron Bowman following a traffic stop.
Much like the case involving Ronald Greene, a deeper investigation followed the release of graphic body camera footage withheld for more than two years. The footage shows Trooper Brown striking Mr. Bowman 18 times with a flashlight, which the trooper later attempted to justify as “pain compliance.” We commend the federal grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana, who brought the excessive force charges against Trooper Brown.
We again call for a full patterns and practices investigation of the entire department.
The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to advocate for a more fair and just system for all, and for accountability within the Louisiana State Police.
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IN THE NEWS
(September 24, 2021/Associated Press)
EXCERPT -A former Louisiana State Police trooper has been charged with a civil rights violation for pummeling a Black motorist 18 times with a flashlight — the first criminal case to emerge from federal investigations into troopers’ beatings of at least three Black men.
A grand jury on Thursday indicted Jacob Brown for the 2019 beating following a traffic stop that left Aaron Larry Bowman with a broken jaw, broken ribs and a gash to his head. Brown was charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, federal prosecutors said.
Law professor says State Police may have violated federal law in Ronald Greene coverup
(September 14, 2021/ WBRZ)
EXCERPT – An LSU law professor believes the RICO Act could be applicable for some Louisiana State Police (LSP) troopers who are tied to the death of Ronald Greene and the subsequent coverup.
RICO, the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, was passed in 1970 and is designed to go after organized crime. LSU Professor Ken Levy said in order for RICO to fit, two or more criminal offenses need to have occurred.
Former Louisiana Trooper Faces Federal Civil Rights Charge
(September 24, 2021/New York Times)
EXCERPT – A federal grand jury indicted a former Louisiana State Trooper on Thursday on a federal civil rights violation, finding that he repeatedly clubbed a Black man with a flashlight during a traffic stop that was recorded by his body camera.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Additional coverage throughout the state and nation regarding Ronald Greene’s story and the call for the justice:
We applaud the Department of Justice regarding today’s indictment of Jacob Brown, former Louisiana State Police trooper, for the 2019 beating of Aaron Bowman following a traffic stop.
Much like the case involving Ronald Greene, a deeper investigation followed the release of graphic body camera footage withheld for more than two years. The footage shows Trooper Brown striking Mr. Bowman 18 times with a flashlight, which the trooper later attempted to justify as “pain compliance.” We commend the federal grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana, who brought the excessive force charges against Trooper Brown.
We again call for a full patterns and practices investigation of the entire department.
The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to advocate for a more fair and just system for all, and for accountability within the Louisiana State Police.
IN THE NEWS
(September 7, 2021/WBRZ)
EXCERPT – The highest ranking state trooper on scene the night Ronald Greene died two years ago received no discipline and no action was taken against him by Louisiana State Police internal affairs despite reports that he lied about his body camera footage.
Over the weekend, Lt. John Clary was seen by the side of LA Tech head football coach Skip Holtz as they took on Mississippi State in Starkville. Many people are questioning how he could lie about body camera footage existing and wind up in a high-profile gig on national television.
(September 9, 2021/AP)
EXCERPT – As the Louisiana State Police reel from the fallout of the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene — a case blown open this year by long-withheld video of troopers stunning, punching and dragging the Black motorist — an Associated Press investigation has revealed it is part of a pattern of violence kept shrouded in secrecy.
An AP review of internal investigative records and newly obtained videos identified at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which Louisiana State Police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct.
(August 26, 2021/WWLTV)
EXCERPT – “We are pleased to learn that there are individuals who are willing to put themselves out to make sure that the truth comes out, that there is accountability and transparency, but there still must be that systemic review,” Morse said.
Morse said her organization not only wants to see a resolution in the Ronald Greene case, but the culture that allowed his violent arrest and others like it to happen remains hidden and fester without consequences for the troopers.
“The entire department should be looked at, from top to bottom and from side to side,” she said.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Additional coverage throughout the state and nation regarding Ronald Greene’s story and the call for the justice:
THANK YOU!
We reached over 25,000 signatures!
THANK YOU for making your voice heard! We will be sending our official petition to decision makers including LA States Attorney Jeff Landry, LA State Police Colonel Lamar Davis, Governor John Bell Edwards and US Attorney General Garland.
IN THE NEWS
(August 20, 2021/The Advocate)
EXCERPT – With his death adding fuel to a heated national debate about race and policing, Ronald Greene became the latest addition to a growing roster of names chanted by protesters nationwide, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Alton Sterling. His desperate last words — caught on officer-worn cameras — have been widely publicized. But the man himself remains largely a mystery.
During interviews in New Orleans, Monroe and Orlando, his friends and relatives shared their memories.
IN THE NEWS
(August 11, 2021/The Advocate)
EXCERPT – A Baton Rouge judge overruled a request for additional time and told lawyers for the Louisiana State Police that he will decide for himself what information the agency can withhold from the public on the personnel file of a state trooper involved in the beating death of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist from Monroe.
Graffiti protest of Ronald Greene’s police beating was finished, ruined and finished again
(August 10, 2021/NOLA.com)
EXCERPT -In early July, a graffiti artist produced a series of posters that included video stills of Greene’s last moments.
Word of the artwork spread via social media, eventually reaching Greene’s mother Mona Hardin. So she decided to visit the installation in New Orleans. But by the time she arrived on July 17, the artwork was ruined.
Today, as we read the most recent AP report on the ongoing investigation into the murder and cover up surrounding the death of Ronald Greene, we were encouraged to learn that federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louisiana State Police leaders obstructed justice to protect the troopers involved in Mr. Greene’s death. We applaud the investigators who are “moving up the chain of command, probing allegations that supervisors disregarded the video evidence, quashed a recommendation to arrest one of the troopers and recently pressed a state prosecutor not to bring any charges.” We also commend their order for a new review of Greene’s autopsy as part of the probe.
Immediately after the first AP report in May regarding the leaked footage of the brutal murder of Ronald Greene, we joined together with like-minded partners to express the urgent need for a deeper federal investigation into the apathetic response and cover-up by the Louisiana State Police for more than two years.
Together with the National Urban League (NUL), we wrote an official letter to Louisiana State Police leadership calling for all troopers involved to be fired and arrested, and for there to be a thorough and transparent investigation into the inconsistent accounts. We also joined NUL in sending an official request to the Department of Justice calling for quick, thorough, and decisive action in its investigation into Mr. Greene’s tragic death.
In late May, we released an official petition demanding justice for Ronald Greene, calling for all troopers involved, named and unnamed, to be terminated and arrested immediately. Since then, over 23,000 people have joined with us in echoing this demand for action. There has also been an increase in national attention given to this case as more details have been uncovered.
As we await the findings that federal prosecutors are preparing to present to a grand jury by the end of the summer, we hope it brings with it the first charges of any kind in this case and leads to additional action being taken to address the systemic patterns and practices of police brutality.
IN THE NEWS
(August 4, 2021/AP)
EXCERPT – Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louisiana State Police brass obstructed justice to protect the troopers seen on long-withheld body camera video punching, dragging and stunning Black motorist Ronald Greene during his fatal 2019 arrest.
Read article
IN THE NEWS
(July 29, 2021/KLFY)
EXCERPT – “You’re trying to silence the lawyers and the families fighting against our own government for accountability and transparency,” said Greene’s family attorney Ron Haley.
Gag order requested by attorney to stop discussions about Ronald Greene’s in custody death
(July 29, 2021/WBRZ)
EXCERPT -An attorney representing the family of a deceased trooper who admitted to beating Ronald Greene is asking for a federal judge to impose a gag order on the case.
IN THE NEWS
(July 19, 2021/WBRZ)
EXCERPT – John Peters was in charge of Troop F when Ronald Greene died in State Police custody in May 2019. He’d most recently been transferred to a highway division within State Police.
In June, the WBRZ Investigative Unit exposed Peters was offering advice about how to prove Greene died in a car crash although State Police body camera video showed Greene alive after a wreck.
State Police should honor its values and come clean in Greene case
(July 18, 2021/Times-Picayune/Advocate)
EXCERPT -The beating death of Ronald Greene, and a number of other incidents involving violence against Black motorists by State Police in the Monroe area, paint a disquieting picture of the state’s premier law enforcement agency.
The agency spun a web of lies, claiming that Greene died from injuries in a crash that followed a police chase.