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LULAC Alarmed by Pasco, Washington Prosecutor’s Decision to Not Indict Officers in Tragic Shooting of Antonio Zambrano-Montes

September 11, 2015

Washington, D.C. – This week, the county prosecutor of Pasco, Washington refused to indict three officers in the tragic February shooting of unarmed Latino immigrant Antonio Zambrano-Montes. Zambrano-Montes was approached by police after throwing rocks at police officers and was later shot by police while fleeing the scene of the confrontation.

“LULAC recognizes the tough and demanding situations faced by police officers, but will not tolerate the exaggerated and unnecessary use of police force directed at unarmed individuals,” said Roger C. Rocha, Jr., LULAC National President. "With so many of these cases resulting in impunity, minority communities across the country are slowly losing faith in the justice system. This example of unpunished police violence against the Latino community represents the rapidly deteriorating relationship between police officers and the minority communities they serve.”

The Zambrano-Montes shooting was one of many police shootings to have occurred within the last year involving unarmed Latinos. In February, LULAC sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urging a federal investigation into the actions of the Pasco Police Department. In addition, LULAC continues to meet with DOJ on issues involving excessive police force against the Latino community. LULAC is dedicated to ensuring that the victims of these tragic shootings receive justice, and is working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that these crimes are swiftly investigated and effectively prosecuted.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org, www.LULAC.org/facebook, and www.LULAC.org/twitter.