Monday, March 17, 2014

"Kendrick Johnson Coalition Rally" Press Conference Tuesday 3.18.14

"Kendrick Johnson Coalition Rally" Press Conference Tuesday 3.18.14


Media Contact: Kimberly Jo Wilson
Phone: 404.484.5538

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

KENDRICK JOHNSON FAMILY, CIVIL RIGHTS ICON JOSEPH LOWERY AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST MARCUS COLEMAN ANNOUNCE “KENDRICK JOHNSON COALITION RALLY” PRESS CONFERENCE

Civil Rights Coalition Rally Announcement To Host Rally In The Fight For Justice In The Death Kendrick Johnson and to Commemorate the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

(Atlanta Ga - March 17, 2014) The Kendrick Johnson family, Civil Rights leader Joseph Lowery and Community Activist Marcus Coleman will hold a press conference at noon on Tuesday, March 18th at the Capitol Building RM 125 (206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta GA 30334) to announce the “Justice for Kendrick Johnson Coalition Rally.”

The rally will take place at the William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (475 Mulberry St., Macon GA 31202) at 11am on Friday, April 4th, this is the location of the U.S. Attorney Michael Moore’s office who has been assigned to investigate Kendrick’s case. Additionally, this occasion will serve to commemorate the assassination of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.

On April 4th, a coalition of civil rights groups, clergy, and community leaders including Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (GCPA), National Action Network (NAN), Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Rainbow Push Coalition, Concerned Black Clergy, Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Moral Monday and FTP Movement along with lead attorney Chevene King and Benjamin Crump among many others will come together in an effort to bring more awareness to Kendrick’s case. Additionally, there will be a meeting with U.S. Attorney Michael Moore, who is leading the federal investigation, on the morning of the rally to update the family on current status of the case.

On January 11, 2013, Kendrick Johnson, a 17-year old junior from Lowndes County High School, was found dead in the school’s gymnasium inside a rolled-up tumbling mat. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office ruled that Johnson fell into the gym mat in search of a shoe and died of accidental positional asphyxiation.

However, due to the condition of Kendrick’s body and other inconsistencies in the local investigation, this finding was unacceptable to the family and a second autopsy was performed by a private pathologist who reported finding hemorrhaging beneath the skin of Kendrick’s jaw and neck and concluded he suffered a fatal blow near his carotid artery that appeared to be “non-accidental”.

On October 31, 2013, U.S. Attorney Michael Moore out of Macon GA, stepped in to review the case - however, no findings have been released to date.

Community Activist Marcus Coleman states, “Lady Justice has truly been put to the test lately, considering the cases of Zimmerman/Martin and Dunn/Davis. Nationwide, the African American Community continues receive the short end of the stick at the hands of the Criminal Justice System. Kendrick Johnson gives America an opportunity to restore some much needed faith! ”

For more information on how to attend the rally, please contact Marcus Coleman at 678.590.2670 or via email at marcuscoleman@ymail.com

For media inquiries: Contact Kimberly Wilson via email WishCreativeMedia@Gmail.com or 404.484.5538

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