Crow Statement on Recent Developments in Elijah McClain Case

"Over the last month, millions of Americans, many for the first time, heard the story of Elijah McClain. His final words leave us shattered, but at home in Aurora where Elijah died in police custody, the pain is even more acute.

"So to see police dressed in riot gear confront protesters - some who were quite literally playing their violins in tribute to Elijah - is outrageous. And then to discover that there is an ongoing investigation regarding inappropriate photos taken by police leaves me dumbfounded. The lack of empathy is astonishing.

"The hard conversations in Aurora about racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic inequalities are playing out on the TVs in living rooms across America. But as we struggle, we rise and I'm so grateful for those in our community who are leading the way for change. Let us lift up the activists who are organizing and holding elected leaders accountable, those in the State House who have passed the most transformative police reform bill in the country, the leadership at Aurora NAACP who has led the charge for equality, and the local press corps who told Elijah's story long before it was national news. But most of all, I'm inspired by Ms. Sheneen McClain, Elijah's mother, who for months has fought for justice and has never wavered.

"As the FBI, Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's office, and special prosecutor continue their investigation, I hope we as a community continue this movement and find ways, big and small, to eradicate racism from our society."