Citizens of the Gambia, has expressed with grave concern the death by shooting of a compatriot Momodou Lamin Sisay by the US Police in Georgia involving the Snellville and Gwinett County Police Departments on 29 May 2020.
“ We consider the death of Momodou as a gross violation of his human rights in which the police employed excessive force and violence. We do not think that a traffic stop should culminate into a fatal shooting of a man by Police Officers who are expected to be well trained, professional and disciplined, as well as his protector,” Citizens of the Gambia said in a petition on Monday.
The petition added: “Hence we hereby call on the Government of the United States of America to take all necessary steps with urgency and thoroughness to investigate this incident to ensure justice for Momodou and accountability of officers responsible for his murder.”
Citizens of the Gambia pointed out that this Petition is coming in the wake of the senseless, blatant and racially motivated murder of George Floyd by an officer of the Minneapolis Police Department on 25th May 2020.
“ As Africans we are deeply concerned at the consistent and constant spate of police shootings of Black people in the United States of America. In most of these cases the Police and US authorities would seek to construct and promote a stereotypical narrative that blames the victims for their death. It is only when police videos are obtained that it became glaringly evident that the officers actually acted wrongfully and illegally towards Black victims, leading go their violent death,” the petition said. Read the full text of the petition.
Petition to the US Government to End Racism and Police Brutality
We, the undersigned Citizens of the Gambia, hereby express with grave concern the death by shooting of a compatriot Momodou Lamin Sisay by the US Police in Georgia involving the Snellville and Gwinett County Police Departments on 29 May 2020. We consider the death of Momodou as a gross violation of his human rights in which the police employed excessive force and violence. We do not think that a traffic stop should culminate into a fatal shooting of a man by Police Officers who are expected to be well trained, professional and disciplined, as well as his protector.
Hence we hereby call on the Government of the United States of America to take all necessary steps with urgency and thoroughness to investigate this incident to ensure justice for Momodou and accountability of officers responsible for his murder.
This Petition is coming in the wake of the senseless, blatant and racially motivated murder of George Floyd by an officer of the Minneapolis Police Department on 25th May 2020. As Africans we are deeply concerned at the consistent and constant spate of police shootings of Black people in the United States of America. In most of these cases the Police and US authorities would seek to construct and promote a stereotypical narrative that blames the victims for their death. It is only when police videos are obtained that it became glaringly evident that the officers actually acted wrongfully and illegally towards Black victims, leading go their violent death.
As Africans we consider this impunity to be unacceptable and a gross violation of the civil rights of African Americans in total contravention of the Constitution and civil rights laws of the United States itself. As Africans on the continent we have a particular interest and duty to our fellow brothers and sisters in the United States simply because, not only are they our kith and kin but also because African Americans equally deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, honour and justly, like their White compatriots.
The credo ‘We hold this truth to be self-evident that all men are created equal….’ must apply to all men and women without distinction. This ideal should define the very character of the American State, one for which Kunta Kinteh, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglas, Booker T Washington, William E. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jnr and Malcolm X among many fought and died to achieve for their people.
In light of the above, we therefore hold that the United States Government has a nonnegotiable duty to ensure that all of its citizens are treated equally at all times. We hold that when the United States Government trumpets the call for human rights and democracy around the world, to the point of waging wars and imposing sanctions on various governments and groups for their gross violations of rights and undemocratic behavior, then that Government must be seen to be exemplary and proactive in the protection of the rights of all of its citizens within its own borders.
Indeed, we are deeply concerned that this has not been the case for its African American citizens who continue to bear the brunt of unjust police actions and other forms of discrimination and injustice from federal and state institutions.
We need not remind the US Government of the words and ideals of its Declaration of Independence on the equality of all human beings. We need not remind the US Government of its Constitution and the US Bill of Rights that guarantee the human rights of all American citizens and the equal obligation of the US Government to each and every citizen. We need not remind the US Government of its various Civil Rights Acts that guarantee the human rights and equality of African Americans with all other American citizens.
Therefore, we expect that the US Government should only enforce these laws and ideals in their totality and to all in equal measure, and not to selectively apply them as is currently the case as far as African Americans are concerned.
We expect nothing from the US Government other than to fulfill the promise of civil rights as espoused in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 – 157 years ago – and all of the human rights ideals that are espoused in all of the statutes mentioned above that were delivered to American citizens especially to the African American. This is all we demand and expect from the Government of the United States and its various institutions and officers. No more. No less.
By this petition, we wish to therefore put it to the US Government that the Gambian citizens uncompromisingly demand justice, equality and freedom for all African Americans and African migrants in the United States.
In our quest to achieve this objective, we will henceforth intensify and forge links, mobilize and organize all African citizens and groups as well as pressure all African Governments and political parties in Africa to demand an absolute end to institutionalized racism, police brutality, discrimination and injustice against African Americans immediately and in any case in our lifetime.
We urge the current US leadership to take a firm and unequivocal stance against racism and police brutality and ensure its criminal justice system respects, protects and fulfills the human rights of all citizens and migrants.
As Martin Luther King Jnr noted, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Hence we hold that the gross violations of the rights and dignity of African Americans is a direct threat to the lives of Africans from the continent. This fact has been glaringly manifested in the murder of Momodou Lamin Sisay just as in the brutal murder of Amadou Diallo from Guinea who was shot 41 times by the New York Police in 1999.
We demand justice for Momodou, George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey and all departed souls in the hands of the US Police.
In light of this petition we therefore demand the following:
1. Release the police videos on the shooting of Momodou Lamin Sisay.
2. Conduct thorough investigation of all incidents of police brutality against Blacks in the United States and ensure full Justice and Accountability.
3. Conduct constitutional, legal and institutional reforms to weed out and end structural racism and to actively criminalize racism in all forms.
Reform policing methods to orient law enforcement officers towards nonviolent policing methods and educate them about human rights.
5. Reform American education system to fully introduce African and African American history to highlight the contribution of Africans to world civilization and to the building of United States of America.
6. Provide reparations to African Americans with direct and huge investments in the provision of services, facilities and opportunities for their social, economic and cultural development.
7. Uphold and practice democratic values and protect the human rights and dignity of all. The End
Signatures
Name Location Date
Nnaceesay Marenah Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-04
Madi Jobarteh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Alagie Barrow Lavergne, Tennessee, US 2020-06-04
Alieu Manneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Sarjo Touray Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Alimu Jallow Ebotown, Gambia 2020-06-04
Hawa Ndow Gambia 2020-06-04
Lamin Sabally Everett, Washington, US 2020-06-04
Muhammed Sey Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
amadou jabbie banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Alimatou Jobe Gambia 2020-06-04
Mariama Ceesay Gambia 2020-06-04
Musa Ceesay Everett, Washington, US 2020-06-04
Mam jara Bah Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-04
Pakejaw Jobarteh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Sheriffo Jobarteh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Bakary Ceesay Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ebrima Correa Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Bakary Jaiteh Sabi, Gambia 2020-06-04
Fabakary Trawalley Gambia 2020-06-04
Name Location Date
ABUBACARR CAMARA Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Momodou k Touray Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Sigga Kujabi Gambia 2020-06-04
Alhagie S Nyang Gambia 2020-06-04
Fatou Bojang Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
madi Bojang Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Mankamang Daffeh Gambia 2020-06-04
Ebrima Dembajang Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Nasirou Secka Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Omar Faye Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Kebba Mamburay Gambia 2020-06-04
Ebrima M. Njie Gambia 2020-06-04
Lamin Jarju Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Betty Marong Oslo, Norway 2020-06-04
Ebrima Krubally Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Abdoulie Darboe Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Suwaibou fofana Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-04
Salimu touray Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Oumie Jallow Gambia 2020-06-04
Saikou Camara Omaha, Nebraska, US 2020-06-04
Assan Sanneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
louie Mendy Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Name Location Date
Alamin Fatty Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Mariama Sarjo Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Kata man Kata Gambia 2020-06-04
Ousainou kuruma Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Akpur Emmanuel Lagos, Nigeria 2020-06-04
Bubacarr Sey Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Abdou Seckan Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Mariama Jammeh Ankeny, Iowa, US 2020-06-04
Madi Jarju Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-04
Lamin k Sonko Povegliano, Italy 2020-06-04
Badou Manneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Amphal Jobarteh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ebrima Bah Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
saidou nget Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Mariam Jammeh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Kebba Ceesay Gambia 2020-06-04
Joriky Mbonge Windhoek, Namibia 2020-06-04
Alieu Drammeh Serrekunda, Gambia 2020-06-04
Pa Sanneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Fatou Morr Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ya Fatou Sallah Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Name Location Date
Daba Jagne Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, US
2020-06-04
Sir dawda Sallah Gambia 2020-06-04
Mortala Ndow Gambia 2020-06-04
Tabara Jammeh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Assan Busso Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Yahya Manneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ida Faal Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
GDAD Gambia Hvidovre, Denmark 2020-06-04
Sainabou Nyang Toronto, Canada 2020-06-04
Fatoumatta K Jallow Gambia 2020-06-04
Dodou Sonko Napoli, Italy 2020-06-04
Nina Jatta Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ndey oumie Jallow Zeewolde, Netherlands 2020-06-04
Hannah Coventry Spain 2020-06-04
Maria Garcia Spain 2020-06-04
Karamba Yarboe Gambia 2020-06-04
Jainaba Sey Gambia 2020-06-04
Betty Bah New York, New York, US 2020-06-04
Essa Sawo Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Matarr Njie Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Marie Koli Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Name Location Date
Kirsten Allen El Puerto De Santa María, Spain 2020-06-04
carlos Merina Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-04
Mama A Banja Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-04
Cherno M Bah Casablanca, Morocco 2020-06-04
Sulayman Bojang Gambia 2020-06-04
Yassin Lowe Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Sarjo Manneh Gambia 2020-06-04
Aminata Coker Gambia 2020-06-04
Jessica Woodard Spain 2020-06-04
Maria Tarrat Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-04
Olimatou Gaye Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Abdoukarim Colley Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Sulayman Jammeh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Tijan Marr Gambia 2020-06-04
Alieu Fatty Accra, Ghana 2020-06-04
Dembo Jobarteh Gambia 2020-06-04
Samba Jallow US 2020-06-04
Aminata Sawaneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-04
Ibrahima Kijera Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Secka Fanta bai Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Jainaba Ceesay Bowie, Maryland, US 2020-06-05
Musa CEESAY Bowie, Maryland, US 2020-06-05
Name Location Date
Zizwe Tchiguka Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 2020-06-05
Assan Manneh omaha, Nebraska, US 2020-06-05
ohlensa mercuti Ronda, Spain 2020-06-05
Binta Jobe Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Joop van Dijk De Knipe, Netherlands 2020-06-05
Itziar Urra Ferrández Spain 2020-06-05
Cristy Palalay Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain 2020-06-05
Mamo Fofana Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Irene Sancho Valencia, Spain 2020-06-05
Daniel Ireland Spain 2020-06-05
Patricia García San Sebastián De Los Reyes, Spain 2020-06-05
Pirjo Andersson -Diallo Torshälla, Sweden 2020-06-05
Ebrima Jaiteh Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-05
William Mendy Istanbul, Turkey 2020-06-05
Irene Cuadras-Serra Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-05
Teresa Mollà Dasí Valencia, Spain 2020-06-05
Momodou A Jallow Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
KADIJA GEORGE London, England, UK 2020-06-05
Bakary Bojang Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Martin Jassey Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Kalifa sonko Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
BERNARD D MENDY Gambia 2020-06-05
Name Location Date
Rosi DeJean Jersey City, New York, US 2020-06-05
Mariama Jarju Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Mariam Abdalla Marbella, Spain 2020-06-05
Joes Wer Madrid, Spain 2020-06-05
Emma Peña Herrera Spain 2020-06-05
Roxanne Kos-Read Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-05
Ana Moreno Sanz Spain 2020-06-05
Isatou Tambedou Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Yllaiza Monge Cerdanyola Del Valles, Spain 2020-06-05
Ebrima Jallow Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Aidan Keefe Farnham, UK 2020-06-05
Corinna Liptáková Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic 2020-06-05
Nil Fabra Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-05
Aroa Decimavilla Barakaldo, Spain 2020-06-05
Jarrai Drammeh North york, Canada 2020-06-05
Nuria Lavin Colindres, Spain 2020-06-05
No Leis A Coruña, Spain 2020-06-05
Aminata Marenah Gambia 2020-06-05
Khomotso Johannes Nkuna South Africa 2020-06-05
Jainaba Trawally Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Mariama Bayo Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Michele Betzner Chiswick, England, UK 2020-06-05
Name Location Date
Candace Chavigne Knoxville, Tennessee, US 2020-06-05
Halimatou E Senghore Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-05
Karamo SAIDY Abuko, Gambia 2020-06-05
Lamin Jassey Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Momodou S Jallow Gambia 2020-06-06
Lamin Demba Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Babucarr Sallah Gambia 2020-06-06
Ousman Manjang Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Kyndel Ivie Crown Point, Indiana, US 2020-06-06
Alpha Omar Jallow Hyderabad, India 2020-06-06
Laura P Spain 2020-06-06
Musufing Marong Leeds, UK 2020-06-06
debbie golt london, England, UK 2020-06-06
Alfonso Muñoz Gil Talavera de la Reina, Spain 2020-06-06
Sillah Muhamed Sabi, Gambia 2020-06-06
Malick Jagne Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Baboucarr Laye Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Sarah Jackson Blackburn, Spain 2020-06-06
Julia Attipoe Trowbridge, UK 2020-06-06
Zoe Dean London, UK 2020-06-06
Kieran Yates Rossendale, UK 2020-06-06
Adrian Blackburn Manchester, England, UK 2020-06-06
Name Location Date
James King Portadown, UK 2020-06-06
rachel lockhart Belfast, UK 2020-06-06
Carolina Penella Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-06
Jared Martin Newtownards, Northern Ireland, UK 2020-06-06
Finley Barrett Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK 2020-06-06
Spike Aylward London, England, UK 2020-06-06
Joanne Muigua Manchester, England, UK 2020-06-06
R Hassan London, UK 2020-06-06
Yahya Sowe Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Eddy Kennedy Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK 2020-06-06
Akila Richards Bognor Regis, UK 2020-06-06
Haven Crane London, UK 2020-06-06
Natasha Ghandour Loughton, England, UK 2020-06-06
Kofi Polley Accra, Ghana 2020-06-06
Liam Quinn Bogota, Colombia 2020-06-06
Harshi Dadlaney Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain 2020-06-06
Carla Finney Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-06
Angela mrd Jerez De La Frontera, Spain 2020-06-06
Elena Ramos Spain 2020-06-06
Fasara Suwanneh Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Valeria Beteta La Laguna, Spain 2020-06-06
Jainaba Colley Banjul, Gambia 2020-06-06
Name Location Date
Daniel Álvaro Spain 2020-06-06
Manuel Guevara Reno, Nevada, US 2020-06-06
Orlane Doumbe Beckenham, UK 2020-06-06
BERNADETTE CHUN Honolulu, Hawaii, US 2020-06-07
Patricia Magariño López Spain 2020-06-07
Agueda Alonso Ourense, Spain 2020-06-07
Janira Martinez Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-07
Adrián Pro Spain 2020-06-07
Carla Cotofana Castellón, Spain 2020-06-07
Georgia Griffiths Barcelona, Spain 2020-06-07
