South Carolina police officer Michael T. Slager was arrested Tuesday and charged in the fatal April 4 shooting of Walter Scott following the release of video footage taken by an unidentified witness, which showed the 50-year-old unarmed black man running away after a traffic stop.
Slager’s actions led the North Charleston Police Department to fire him indefinitely from the force, and local demonstrators have called for justice and rallied against “an atmosphere of racism” in the city.
Joining the protestors are a slew of public figures who are also speaking out about Scott’s death, which adds to the growing list of high-profile fatal police shootings of black men in the country.
Below, check out our roundup of reactions:
Am I the only one who, despite the video, is still skeptical this officer will be convicted. #WalterScott
— jacque reid (@jacquereid) April 8, 2015
Faith without works is dead. Let’s get off our knees, burst through the church doors and STOP ACTING LIKE WE DONT SEE! #WalterScott
— Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin) April 8, 2015
can you imagine the amount of murders that went down before the age and development of cell phone videos? this didn’t start this year.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 8, 2015
i was numb. now I’m angry. i rarely cuss here out of respect. but I’m angry as fuck. good night.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 8, 2015
Well, cellphone cameras are good for more than selfies. Hallelujah. Busting these racist, trigger-happy police killing black men.
— Terry McMillan (@MsTerryMcMillan) April 8, 2015
Just so we are clear: this South Carolina cop BLATANTLY lied on the police report. No video? His lie would be deemed THE TRUTH.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 8, 2015
This South Carolina murder is why EVERY police officer in America should have a body camera AND a dashboard camera.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 8, 2015
Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of #WalterScott. It’s time to start the healing. Let’s pray for #NorthCharleston.
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) April 8, 2015
For a family understandably hurt and angry, their response tonight was calm, measured, and did the opposite of incite. #WalterScott
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) April 8, 2015
Though it never should have happened, so far, it looks as though justice will be served in THIS case. (thanks to vid proof) #WalterScott
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) April 8, 2015
#WalterScott
before I can comment I have to trudge through trying to comprehend the hate that went into the 8 shots.
#reallife
— Michael Ealy (@MichaelEaly) April 8, 2015
This brought tears to my eyes. #WalterScott reminds me of my uncle, family. Can only imagine the pain his fam feels: http://t.co/ycqujXjDnn
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) April 7, 2015
Cop who killed #WalterScott & planted evidence isn’t being tried 4 murder cuz THEY saw what he did..he’s being tried cuz WE saw what he did
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) April 8, 2015
Okay, watching the #WalterScott video was horrible, but I think the brave person who captured the murder is a Hero and a Godsend #Truthdom
— Isaiah Washington (@IWashington) April 8, 2015
Once again….. #WalterScott
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) April 8, 2015
Cop murdered #WalterScott in cold blood in broad daylight. He thought he could get away with it. Why? This is why we say #BlackLivesMatter
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 8, 2015
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