Congresswoman Bush Statement on 9th Anniversary of the Killing of Mike Brown
Washington, D.C. (August 9, 2023) — Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement commemorating the anniversary of the killing of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, sparking a worldwide movement in support of Black lives.
“Nine years ago, when 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer, everything changed. It changed me, our community and our world. Every day, and especially today, my heart goes out to his parents, his family and everyone who loved and knew Mike.
“Mike’s tragic killing propelled us to demand a world where being Black isn’t a death sentence. A world where thousands of people, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Oscar Grant, Kajieme Powell and so many others, would still be alive today. A world without systemic racism and police violence. We know that a world like this is possible.
“As your Congresswoman, I have been dedicated to bringing this fight from the Ferguson frontlines to halls of Congress. It’s why I proudly introduced the Helping Families Heal Act alongside Mike’s mother, Lezley McSpadden. This legislation would support children and families harmed by police violence and help fund mental health resources for our communities. I also just reintroduced my People’s Response Act, groundbreaking legislation that would advance an inclusive, holistic, and health-centered approach to public safety by creating a public safety division within the Department of Human Health and Services.
“I am grateful to the grassroots activists and advocates who are doing the work in defense of Black lives and remain committed to advancing our struggle for freedom and safety in everything I do. Together, we will continue to fight for a more just and equitable world.
“Turn up, don’t turn down. We do this for Mike Brown. Rest in Power, Mike.”
In September 2022, Congresswoman Bush introduced the Helping Families Heal Act - also known as the ‘Mike Brown Bill’, alongside Mike Brown’s mother, Lezley McSpadden. This first-of-its-kind legislation that would fund mental health resources to support those impacted by police violence. Congresswoman Bush is expected to reintroduce this legislation this Fall. Last month, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), reintroduced the People’s Response Act, groundbreaking legislation that would advance an inclusive, holistic, and health-centered approach to public safety by creating a public safety division within the United States Department of Human Health and Services — because communities and experts agree that public safety is a matter of public health.
Before coming to Congress, Congresswoman Bush was an activist involved in the protests following the murder of Michael Brown by a Ferguson Police Officer. Congresswoman Bush spent more than 400 days protesting for justice leading on the Ferguson Frontline as a nurse and clergy member.
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