Planned Parenthood Expresses Grief & Outrage over Death of Casey Goodson Jr., Joins Call for Justice and Transparency

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

For Immediate Release – December 18, 2020

Contact: Laurel Powell, Director of Media Relations, [email protected]

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Media Office; 212-261-4433; [email protected]

 

Planned Parenthood Expresses Grief & Outrage over Death of Casey Goodson Jr., Joins Call for Justice and Transparency

COLUMBUS, OH — Amid ongoing protests over the killing of Casey Goodson Jr., in Columbus at the hands of Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Meade, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund are joining local advocates calling for justice for Goodson, transparency in the investigation into Deputy Meade’s actions, and systematic change in Columbus.

On December 4th, Goodson unlocked the front door to his home, holding keys in one hand and a sandwich in another. He was shot and killed by Deputy Meade, who was participating in an unrelated search in the area organized by the U.S. Marshals. Goodson committed no crime. He was not suspected of committing a crime. He was going about his life, for which he was killed. The murder of Goodson and of other Black people can never be justified.

 

Goodson’s family has called for the following:

- Immediate termination, arrest, and indictment of Deputy Meade for the murder of Goodson

- Revocation of Deputy Meade’s pension

- Transparency in the investigation, and the release of all video and audio recordings

- Immediate release of evidence to Goodson’s mother, Tamala Payne

- Coverage of Goodson’s funeral expenses by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

- The firing of Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan for his negligence in failing to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in a timely manner

- Commitment from Franklin County Board of Commissioners to divest from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

- Commitment from the Columbus City Council to divest from the Columbus Police Department

 

We stand with Casey Goodson Jr’s family and local organizers.

 

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“In a year of crushing loss, we must tragically add another name to the list of Black men who won’t be home for the holidays: Casey Goodson Jr. Just days ago, he was killed by a sheriff's deputy while trying to enter his own home. Even as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Americans are also forced to process the trauma of police brutality, state-sanctioned violence, and the constant fear that you’re never safe, even in your own home.

The racism that drives police brutality and systemic oppression is a public health crisis — public health is built on the principle of saving lives, just as Planned Parenthood’s top priority is the health and safety of all people. Planned Parenthood Action Fund stands with Casey’s family, and the local organizers, in calling for accountability for this murder, and commits to elevating and supporting their demands. We also acknowledge and demand justice for other cases of state-sanctioned murder in Columbus’s Black community, including Julius Tate, Tyre King, and Henry Green.”

 

Statement from Iris E. Harvey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:

“According to those closest to him, Casey Goodson Jr. loved and was dedicated to his family and his community. His life mattered, and it was stolen from him. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen the outpouring of action demanding justice for Casey, not just in Columbus but across the country. As we have watched our city demand justice, we have seen a community mourn and spread the love that Casey brought to every aspect of his life.

As an organization that advocates for better health care, we have called out systemic racism as a public health crisis. We know equity in health outcomes is inextricably tied to racial equity. Everyone is entitled to their bodily autonomy whether it is making a health care decision on your body, or entering your home safely. Massive, real, measurable change is needed to stem the tide of violence inflicted on our lives and on our families and our well-being at the hands of a highly militarized and aggressive police department and county sheriffs. We stand firmly alongside Casey Goodson’s family in their demands, and I add my voice to theirs.

We demand accountability. We demand justice for Casey. We continue to demand justice for Julius Tate, for Tyre King, and for Henry Green, who were all killed at the hands of police here in Columbus. Justice for George Floyd, for Breonna Taylor, and for countless others killed by police nationwide.”

 

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

 

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying. www.ppao.org