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Demand a Civil Rights Investigation Into the Police Murder of Aiyana Jones
  1. Signatures
    1,299 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of MI (+ 4 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The Governor of MI
      • Mayor, City of Detroit (Mayor Dave Bing)
      • United State Attorney General (Eric Holder)
      • U.S. Asst. Atty. General, Civil Rights Division (Thomas Perez)
      • FBI Field Office, Detroit (Special Agent In Charge Andrew G. Arena)
  2. Created By
    Elizabeth Renter
    Clayton, NC
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Aug 17, 2010

The FBI has opened an investigation into the police murder of Aiyana Jones. The Civil Rights Division will be conducting the investigation and reporting their findings to prosecutors in the U.S. Justice Department. While this investigation can never undo the tragedy that occurred in Detroit on May 16, it is a crucial step in the right direction. An innocent child died at the hand of police and accountability must be demanded.

*Update* 2010-08-17

The FBI has opened an investigation into the police murder of Aiyana Jones. The Civil Rights Division will be conducting the investigation and reporting their findings to prosecutors in the U.S. Justice Department. While this investigation can never undo the tragedy that occurred in Detroit on May16, it is a crucial step in the right direction. An innocent child died at the hand of police and accountability must be demanded. 

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Killed while she slept, Aiyana Jones may have been dreaming of a birthday party, of school, a day at the park. She might have opened her eyes towards her grandmother during those last breaths, hopefully feeling no pain. One wonders what a 7 year old thinks of in her final moments, "What's happening?" "Why did they shoot me?" Thoughts that have no place in the mind of an innocent child. 

In a city that has seen more than its share of violent murders, the recent police killing of Aiyana Jones, an innocent 7 year old girl, has Detroit and activists across the nation on edge. An explosive device thrown through the window, a little girl shot and killed as she slept--people are asking how and more importantly why this had to happen. For the people of Detroit, this incident serves as only one more reason to distrust police. With talk of a cover-up and potential video evidence proving it, the community and the country have every right to be angry and every reason to demand answers.  

The attorney for Aiyana's family claims he saw the video showing the raid. He states, without a doubt, the Detroit police acted to cover up the true facts of the case immediately after the shooting happened. At this time it isn't clear where the video is, but one thing is for certain--it shouldn't be lost. It's apparent the local police can't be trusted to handle the investigation and although the Michigan State Police are investigating, this is a civil rights matter, only properly handled at the federal level.

With so many questions swirling about this case and the loss of an innocent life, swift and immediate action is needed. An agency that would cover up their own role in the death of a child has no place protecting anyone's children. Had this incident occurred in white suburbia it may have already been under investigation. Had the address been different, we probably would have seen more media coverage and elected officials wouldn't have avoided the topic as they have. But, just because officials have ignored this tragedy doesn't mean we have to let them.

Demand the federal government open a civil rights investigation into the raid and subsequent shooting death of Aiyana Jones. Also, let the Governor of Michigan and Mayor of Detroit know that the country is watching and will not allow this murder to be forgotten.  

Photo: Aiyana Jones family

Recent Signatures

The Murder of Aiyana Jones

Greetings,

I write this letter on behalf of a child who will never see her 8th birthday. Aiyana Jones was killed by Detroit Police in a raid that occurred in the early morning of May 16. She was shot as she slept on the couch in her home. While initial reports state that the shooting was an accident resulting from a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother, there are circumstances that call this account into question. Aiyana's family, the people of Detroit, and Americans who demand accountability from those tasked with keeping the peace, deserve answers in this case.

While the use of flash grenades in a home where children are known to be present is questionable at the very least, the failure to uphold the civil rights of a family and an innocent child is deplorable at best. The Detroit Police failed to keep little Aiyana from harm, a direct violation of their responsibilities while acting under the color of law. In addition there seems to have been a blatant attempt at a cover-up from the moment the raid ended and Aiyana was found to have been shot. We demand justice and we demand transparency.

Although the Michigan State Police have opened an investigation, we demand more. This investigation cannot be a simple show of concern without real action; the people of Michigan and this country know better. The facts about this case must come to light if we are expected to trust those people employed for the very purpose of protecting us. In addition to a completely transparent investigation by the Michigan State Police and the revealing of any videos that were taken on the night in question, I request the FBI open a civil rights investigation into the police actions that occurred on the night Aiyana Jones was killed. While Detroit has seen its share of violent crime, violence and murder at the hands of the government is absolutely unacceptable.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

[Your name]

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