University of Houston-Downtown

Black Student Association

Office of Student Activities
One Main Street, Room 204-South
Houston, Texas 77002



August 12, 2014


The Honorable Claire McCaskill
United States Senate
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510


The Honorable Roy Blunt
United States Senate
260 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510


The Honorable Lacy Clay Jr.
United States House of Representatives
2418 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Blunt, Representative Clay, and Senator McCaskill:

This organization is heartbroken after hearing the events happening in Ferguson. The citizens of Ferguson do not deserve to
have their city and businesses vandalized and looted. We condemn such action and expect, after due process, those convicted
to receive an appropriate punishment. We would, however, like you all to take note of the riot. As you know, most riots
transpire when a community has been too long silenced and neglected. Although they are savage, they play an important part
in democracy, as the case with the 1992 Los Angeles riots. This community has met its tipping point. The beauty of it is, the
community can find its voice and the roots of justice can begin to grow. You can plant the seeds of justice by holding the
Ferguson Police Department accountable for an assumed pattern of police brutality and unnecessary deadly force. You
can begin to achieve this by demanding FPD ascertain the truth about the shooting of Mike Brown, releasing the name of the
officer involved in the shooting, and disciplining officers who have or are engaging in oppressive behavior during the protests.

As young black college students, we are enraged to hear the account of what allegedly happened to eighteen year old Michael
Brown. The most heinous of narratives being that he was shot in the face as he attempted to turn around with his hands in the
air. We are painfully emotional to the realization that Big Mike Brown was just a few days away from starting his first year
in college but will never step foot on campus. With that said, we echo the sentiments of Anonymous, and request Missouri
Congressional leaders introduce a bill in Michael Browns name that sets the standard for police conduct and offers
victims of police brutality the same rights to justice and restitution as victims of violent crimes committed by civilians.

It is imperative that you not only demand justice for Michael and his family but take a proactive approach to
preventing a tragedy like this from occurring again anywhere in America. That is the true way to honor him and with
that, the community can begin to heal.

In closing, we pray for safety and peace in the city of Ferguson, the state of Missouri, and our nation. We have confidence you
will do whats right and just for your constituency. If not, we hope these words by the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. inspire you: Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice,
suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.


With Great Sincerity,



President, Emmanuel Crumedy Vice President, LaCrecia Hinton President Emeritus, Tarah Taylor

CC: Colonel Thomas Jackson, Chief of Police of the Ferguson Police Department
CC: Mayor James Knowles, Ferguson, Missouri
CC: Senator Jamilah Nasheed, Missouri Senate
CC: Representative Courtney Allen Curtis, Missouri House of Representative
CC: Representative Sharon Pace, Missouri House of Representative
LaCrecia K. Hinton Emmanuel Crumedy