(NEW YORK, NY) – The following is a statement from Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network:
“Hopefully this verdict brings some comfort to the Gurley family and gives hope to the others who continue to seek justice for police misconduct. Akai Gurley was an innocent Black man walking down a stairwell, shot for no reason, and who was stolen from his family. This verdict is a signal that, at least in this case, there are consequences for an officer’s actions. Namely, you will not be allowed to kill young men of our community and expect to walk away free and clear. It is clear that Peter Liang should never have had his gun out, he should never have been in that stairwell, and that we must look closely at so-called vertical patrols in public housing – a tactic that is far too similar to Stop and Frisk.”