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NCCD Statement on the Death of Tony Robinson

March 10, 2015 | NCCD

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NCCD joins with the Madison community in mourning the loss of Tony Robinson and sends our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our thoughts are with you.

The death of a young person is always tragic, no matter what the circumstances, and in this time it is crucially important for our community to encircle one another with compassion and a shared commitment to justice.

NCCD joins with the Madison community in mourning the loss of Tony Robinson and sends our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our thoughts are with you.

The death of a young person is always tragic, no matter what the circumstances, and in this time it is crucially important for our community to encircle one another with compassion and a shared commitment to justice.

The vocal engagement of our community organizations, students, churches, police, and civic leaders over the last few days demonstrates that Tony Robinson’s life did matter. The challenge that lies before our community now is to make his death matter. To honor both Tony Robinson’s life and what his death represents for the futures of so many young African American men, both in Madison and across the country, our social service systems simply have to do better to recognize and respect the humanity of our communities of color.

We must also be willing to take part in open, transparent dialogue about the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Effective policing demands trusting relationships. When trust is damaged, we owe it to each other to listen carefully and learn from one another. Every one of us has a part to play in this ongoing conversation.

NCCD is committed to supporting legal and law enforcement systems that treat all people equitably, that make our communities safer, and that we can all be proud of. We commend the efforts of all of those in Madison who share this dedication and hold out hope that by working together, we can create a community that is safe and supportive for all of us.