MECHANICSBURG,
PA – The National
Association of Social Workers (NASW) Pennsylvania Chapter is deeply saddened by
the death of Antwon Rose, an unarmed Pittsburgh teenager who was shot while
running from police. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and
friends.
Unfortunately,
police shootings of unarmed people of color such as Rose occur too frequently
in our nation. NASW again urges policing reforms, including the end of racial
profiling and excessive use of police force. We also ask that police improve
relations with the communities they serve.
NASW commends
people who are protesting the tragic death of Antwon Rose. We hope the protests
will be safe for all involved, and police will respect the rights of those who
protest. We also urge authorities to work quickly and fairly to investigate
this shooting and bring justice.
The social work
profession has a long history of working to end all vestiges of institutional
racism and racial disparities, including in law enforcement. We urge social
workers in the Pittsburgh area and around the Commonwealth
to work to heal our communities and bring about positive reforms.
Social workers
interested in taking part in future efforts in the Pittsburgh
area should contact Kevin Caridad at 724-814-9708 or Kevincaridad@gmail.com.
Let us work
together and bring positive reforms to honor the memory of Antwon Rose.
NASW
Resources:
The Role of Racial Profiling in Encounters with Law Enforcement
Ferguson, Missouri Aftermath: National Implications for Disparities in the Criminal Justice Continuum