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| The parents of Michael Brown, Lesley McSpadden, left, and Michael Brown, Sr., right, speak to The Associated Press during an interview in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. Michael Brown's parents say they are unmoved by the Ferguson police chief's apology in their son's shooting death by a police officer. Instead, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr. told The Associated Press they would rather see an arrest, and Brown Sr. said he wants the police officer "in handcuffs." |
WASHINGTON
(AP) -- The parents of Michael Brown told The Associated Press on
Saturday they were unmoved by the apology given by the Ferguson,
Missouri, police chief weeks after their unarmed 18-year-old son was
killed by a police officer.
Brown's mother,
Lesley McSpadden, said, "yes," when asked if Chief Tom Jackson should be
fired, and his
father, Michael Brown Sr., said rather than an apology,
they would rather see the officer who shot their son arrested for his
Aug. 9 death.
"An apology would be when Darren Wilson has handcuffs, processed and charged with murder," Brown Sr. said.
Wilson
is white; the young man, black. The shooting sparked days of violent
protests and racial unrest in the predominantly black community. Some
residents and civil rights activists have said responding police
officers were overly aggressive, noting their use of tear gas and
surplus military vehicles and gear. Brown Sr. called the looting that
has been interspersed with the protests "disrespectful," but the "First
Amendment protesting?
They have that right."
"There's going to continue to be unrest until they do what should be done," McSpadden added, referring to
Ferguson officials.
Jackson
released a video apology to Brown's family and the community, in which
he acknowledged that Brown's body should have been removed from the
street much sooner than it was. The young man's remains lay uncovered
for more than four hours while police collected evidence.
"I don't want words, I want action," McSpadden said.
The
parents, both wearing T-shirts with messages about their son, talked
hesitantly about their emotions following their son's death. McSpadden
said she feels lost and helpless, and her life will never be normal
again. "I have to find a new normal," she said haltingly.
"I'm empty," Brown said quietly. "There's nothing there anymore. It's hard to fill that spot with other
happiness."
Brown's
parents are in the nation's capital to meet with lawmakers and lobby
Congress to pass a law requiring police officers to wear cameras during
their interactions with the public. They also called on the Justice
Department to take over the criminal investigation into the shooting.
The Justice Department is already investigating whether Brown's civil
rights were violated, and a county grand jury is weighing whether to
indict Wilson.
"All of our eyes see the same
thing, that it was wrong, an injustice," McSpadden said. "Why wouldn't
they come back with an indictment?"
Attorney
General Eric Holder has met Brown's parents, and they hope his coming
departure won't affect the case. Holder announced his resignation
Thursday. "I've got confidence in him in that he will make sure that
what needs to be done is done before he exits," McSpadden said.
The
parents also expressed anger at Ferguson police who wore bracelets in
support of Wilson. In a letter released Friday, the Justice Department
asks Jackson, the police chief, to "confirm our understanding" that
officers in the suburban St. Louis County department won't wear "I am
Darren Wilson" bracelets while on duty.
Ferguson
residents complained about the black bracelets with white lettering at a
meeting with federal officials. The Brown's family lawyer, Benjamin
Crump, said the bracelets give an impression that the police lack
impartiality in this case.
"It lets me know how they really feel about the situation, and the wrongness that they do," McSpadden said.
Brown's
parents talked with lawmakers during the Congressional Black Caucus'
legislative conference weekend and plan to keep on lobbying. "I ask
Crump all the time, `What else can I do?' McSpadden said.
Brown
Sr. called their efforts a fight for human rights. "They say that this
is America, but we're not being treated like we're Americans. Our fight
here is to just open other eyes and understand how we're feeling and try
to get something done about it."
McSpadden said her son was taught to respect his elders.
"I
taught my son respect for a policeman, for you, for this woman, for
anybody, so if he felt like he was doing nothing wrong, which I don't
believe he was, why would he be in fear of him? You're not supposed to
fear the police."
