Stephon Clark
Stephon Clark, a 22 year old father, was killed on March 18 in 2018 by two Sacramento police officers. Two years ago on that day, yet another innocent life was taken away for inexcusable reasons, and to this day, Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet, the two officers that stole both a father, husband, and son from the Clark family, have returned to full active duty in their department. Because of one of our country's many broken systems that has yet to be reformed, Stephon Clark is not here with us today, and his killers walk free, unpunished.
Mr. Clark was at his grandparents' house when Officer Mercadal and Robinet rolled up by his grandparents' house, canvassing the neighborhood in search for another man who was seen breaking car windows. The two officers fired twenty shots at Mr. Clark, four seconds after they barged into the backyard, claiming he was armed with a firearm and that they were "fearing for [their] safety". As Mr. Clark lay in the backyard, the two officers asked each other if they were okay before yelling at Mr. Clark's motionless body that they would not seek medical attention for him unless he "got rid of his weapon". The two officers then called for backup and handcuffed Mr. Clark before attempting CPR. When investigators searched for any weapons at the scene, the only object they found was a cellphone.
After his death, many demonstrations have been held and many have spoken up, calling for accountability for Mr. Clark's death, including the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics. His name was yelled out in the March for Our Lives rally that called for gun reform, and hundreds marched in honor of Mr. Clark around the Kings' Golden 1 Center. Despite the thousands of people who have pleaded for the prosecution of Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet, they have faced no consequences.
Despite the thousands of people who have pleaded for the prosecution of Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet, they have faced no consequences.
Although a lawsuit has been filed against the two officers, prosecutors failed to establish that the officers' use of force was unreasonable. Larry Carr, a Sacramento City Councilman, has even said that some good has come out of the tragedy that is Stephon Clark's death. He claims that it "led to [them] having a better police force and more transparency about what happens in use of force incidents, which makes a stronger bond between the police and community". This is unacceptable. No attempt has been made since 2019 to get these two killers off of Sacramento's streets due to a claim that the officers "acted lawfully under these circumstances". Any properly trained officer should have been able to identify the difference between a firearm and a cellphone; anyone that fails to do so is negligent and does not deserve to hold a job where they are meant to serve and protect all members of their community. Becoming a police officer comes with countless risks, and those who cannot uphold their sworn oath to "never betray [their] badge, [their] integrity, [their] character or the public trust" and "always have the courage to hold [themself] and others accountable for [their] actions" cannot and should not further contribute to a corrupt system that already fails to protect minorities such as black people due to the embedded systemic racism found in the roots of the law enforcement system. The truth is, police officers have chosen an occupation that causes them to fear for their lives, but at the end of the day, they can go home, take off their badge, and choose to live in comfort and reassurance that they will live to see another day, week, or even year. But people who are born with a particular skin color can never choose to change that, and they will always live in fear unless the system that is responsible for their oppression and killing is reformed.
Stephon Clark and countless others' killers still have not been brought to justice. Mr. Clark was a beloved son, grandson, brother, husband, and father, and those who loved him will never be able to hear his voice again. His brother said that Mr. Clark had even started to "really [change] his life" about a month before he was shot. He had always fought for a better life, as he and his brothers had not been as privileged as others. But Mr. Clark will never be able to see what could have been, and how he could have kept on fighting for a better life, and those who took that opportunity from him have still faced no punishment. Stevante Clark, Stephon Clark's brother, said, "My job as my brother's keeper is to keep fighting for accountability and justice. My job is to make sure nothing like this happens ever again in our city". Help Stevante Clark and his family achieve justice for Stephon Clark. Fight with them, and don't let prolonged time erase Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet's crimes, allowing them to continue walking free. No matter how much time has passed and will continue to pass, remember Stephon Clark and keep fighting for him.
Author: Annie Qu
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Petitions
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/demand-justice-for-stephon (calls for indictment of Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet)
https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice_for_zoe/ (includes letter to send to the district attorney)
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/indict-the-officers-that-murdered-stephon-clark?source=direct_link (calls for indictment of Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet)
https://www.change.org/p/you-justice-for-stephon-clark?source_location=topic_page
Resources
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article235516267.html
https://abcnews.go.com/US/death-stephon-clark-police-shooting/story?id=54039443