Hello All,
We in the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression would like to update you on the progress of our campaign for Justice for Robert (Tone) Jones who was murdered by off-duty Philadelphia Police Department detective Christopher Sweeney.
It has now been over half a year since Sweeney murdered Robert Jones on the night of October 3rd. We cannot speak for the pain his family has experienced since losing such a valued family member, but we know that it has not been at all lessened by the failure of the city to deliver justice. After 7 months, there has not been a single word mentioned by the city about the investigation that is apparently "ongoing" - No word from Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, who we confronted last December at a town hall where he blamed everyone but himself for the lack of progress; and no word from unapologetically pro-cop Mayor Cherelle Parker, who has recently proposed a budget of $872,000,000 for the PPD. All the while Christopher Sweeney has NOT been charged NOR fired for taking the life of an innocent man! Rather, he has been collecting a fat paycheck while on administrative duty! That's not right. The family deserves justice and Jones' killer deserves jail!
We have been circulating this petition for almost half a year now and are happy to have gathered nearly 1000 signatures, but it is not enough to ensure that those in power will listen to us. Only by raising the heat will they respond. We need to build a mass campaign for justice. We need the active participation of people who can and will show up for Robert Jones' in the streets and in the meeting rooms; who can educate their neighbors, family, coworkers, fellow-worshipers, etc. about the injustice that the city is continuing to inflict on Jones' family.
At a time when racist and political repression, discriminatory deportations, attacks on student protestors, and impunity for killer cops are on the rise, we need to unite and build the means to defend ourselves and our community. We in PAARPR are resolved to continue developing actions for the Justice for Robert Jones Campaign until we win victory.
If you live in the Philly area, attend our protest for Robert Jones on May 3rd @ 1:00PM at City Hall and speak out against police injustice!
Justice for Robert Jones!
Fire and Arrest Christopher Sweeney!
Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression