Southwest Missouri Democrats issue statement on Jason Stockley verdict

(A judge found former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley not guilty of murdering 24-year-old African American Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011 following a high-speed arrest. Southwest Missouri Democrats issued the following statement after the verdict was announced.)

Today the residents of St. Louis and the principles of justice for all are on our hearts and minds. We urge Missourians to safely observe our 1st Amendment rights and if participating in civil disobedience, to commit to de-escalation and to non-violent tactics.

Martin Luther King, Jr. states that there are four basic steps in a nonviolent campaign: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action. We must remember that the purpose of nonviolent direct action is to create tension and crisis so that an issue such as black lives matter must be confronted. This type of action forces the issue to the forefront so that it can no longer be ignored.

King further said that not a single stride towards civil rights has been made without “determined legal and nonviolent pressure.” History has proven that individuals who are members of privileged groups in society rarely give up their privileges voluntarily.

“Good timing” is not an issue when it comes to nonviolent protests. Neither is a “wait and see” attitude. Southwest Missouri Democrats joins our Missouri Democratic Party in full commitment to building communities that recognize that black lives matter.