(Milwaukee, July 17, 2024) – Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera and Voces de la Frontera Action, issued the following statement today in response to the deadly police shooting of community member Samuel Sharpe yesterday in Milwaukee:

“Today we grieve the senseless killing of Samuel Sharpe, a homeless and beloved member of our community, by a Columbus police officer. We denounce the use of excessive and deadly force and extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Voces along with the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and other organizations in Milwaukee have warned about the dangers of bringing nearly 4,000 additional law enforcement officials to cover the RNC, fearing that heavy police presence would increase the risk of deadly encounters, particularly involving out-of-state officers who do not know our community.

Safer communities that build trust with local law enforcement depend on de-escalation tactics and the redirection of community tax dollars from more militaristic police operations, jails, and repression to providing necessary resources for housing, healthcare, mental health services, and other essential needs.”

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About Voces de la Frontera

Voces de la Frontera is a membership-based community organization led by low-wage workers, immigrants, and youth whose mission is to protect and expand civil rights and workers’ rights through leadership development, community organizing, and empowerment.

Voces members and team strive to create a world where all people live free of poverty and discrimination, have access to safe, dignified work, quality education, and health care; where immigrants can cross borders with dignity; and human rights and workers’ rights are respected; where government is truly “of the people”, and all families thrive.