Protesters Gather Outside State Attorney General's Office Over Kohen Wiley Case

Dozens of demonstrators occupied the lobby of the Sillers Building in Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday. They gathered to voice opposition to a recent decision made by Attorney General Lynn Fitch. The group is requesting a direct meeting between Fitch and the parents of Kohen Wiley, who was one year old when she died.

The protest occurred one day after Kohen Wiley would have turned two years old. Chants for justice echoed through the building. The demonstrators are focused on Fitch’s determination that the officer involved in the child’s killing should not face criminal charges. Fitch’s office stated that the investigation concluded the use of force was justifiable.

Danielle Holmes, a member of the MS Poor People’s Campaign, addressed the crowd regarding the lack of communication. "We want to hear from the attorney general," Holmes said. "She needs and she owes the Kohen Wiley’s parents an answer as to why she feels a cop killer, racist cop killer that gunned down a one year old is justifiable, especially when he violated all police training."

Michelle Williams, the Chief of Staff for Attorney General Fitch, responded to the gathering. "It is a tragic turn of events, but we follow the law," Williams said. "We follow the facts to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to bring charges."

Williams explained that Fitch was traveling in northern Mississippi and had been in Grenada. When reporters asked for Fitch's specific schedule, Williams indicated that the group needed to file a public records request to obtain that information. Outside the building, civil rights advocates joined family members of other victims of alleged police violence. They called on the office to maintain transparency in its handling of the case.

Marquell Bridges, the president and founder of the Building Bridges Coalition, spoke to the crowd about local history. "Over and over the denial of justice. This ain’t first in Senatobia," Bridges said. "We are tired. You will not kill our children. You will not kill our babies. We should have stopped it with Andrew Joseph III. e should have stopped it with Tamir Rice."

Eaveon Williams and Vellesiya Wiley, the parents of Kohen Wiley, remained silent while standing with supporters. The group stated they will continue to ask Fitch to meet with the family and re-examine the case.