Rep. Bowen Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the Killing of Alvin Cole
“Our Goal is ... Justice and Dignity”
MILWAUKEE – State Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the killing of 17-year-old Wauwatosa teenager Alvin Cole by then-Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah:
“One year ago today, Alvin Cole’s light went out of this world. Alvin was a child who was not perfect, and who needlessly was made to pay for his imperfection with his life. A child. A Black child from Milwaukee, frequenting the suburb of Wauwatosa’s local shopping mall. Today we mourn the loss of this young man, and we mourn the loss of the potential that the years ahead of Alvin may have held. We also pray for the Cole family, and we stand with them in their ongoing struggle for justice. But in our sadness, in our grief, we recommit once again to bringing change to Alvin’s community, to this state, and to this country. We recommit to the idea that no police officer has the right to be judge, jury and executioner, and that no child deserves a death sentence. We recommit to demanding top leadership in policing that doesn’t turn a blind eye to the excessive use of force when other more dignified options can and should be used.
Today, I also urge those who have been fearful or opposed to the idea of reform to take a moment to listen to those who march for change – our goal is not lawlessness or baseless critiques of law enforcement, but rather justice and dignity. I pray all come to the table laid before us, and work together to build a future that celebrates and preserves life; a future that ensures safety and justice for all.”
More about the Case of Officer Joseph Mensah
- 50 Plaintiffs Sue Wauwatosa - Hannah Haynes - Mar 7th, 2021
- ACLU Calls for National Search for Tosa Police Chief - Isiah Holmes - Feb 23rd, 2021
- Waukesha Faith Group Questions Mensah Hiring - Isiah Holmes - Feb 18th, 2021
- Rep. Bowen Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the Killing of Alvin Cole - State Rep. David Bowen - Feb 2nd, 2021
- About Those Phones Taken By Tosa Police - Isiah Holmes - Feb 1st, 2021
- ACLU Blasts Waukesha Sheriff on Mensah Hiring - Isiah Holmes - Jan 27th, 2021
- Mensah Now a Waukesha Sheriff’s Deputy - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 26th, 2021
- Statement from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office on Joseph Mensah Hiring - Waukesha County Sheriff's Office - Jan 26th, 2021
- Wauwatosa Police Created ‘Protester List’ - Isiah Holmes - Jan 20th, 2021
- Op Ed: How We’ve Handled the Tosa Protests - Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride - Dec 5th, 2020
Read more about Case of Officer Joseph Mensah here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. David Bowen
Rep. Bowen, Sen. Taylor Celebrate Passage of Shorewood Tax Increment District Extension for Affordable Housing
Mar 3rd, 2021 by State Rep. David Bowen“A Down Payment on an Inclusive Future for Shorewood”
Rep. Bowen Statement on Governor Tony Evers’ Biennial Budget
Feb 16th, 2021 by State Rep. David Bowen“Budget Takes Bold Steps, Includes Numerous Reforms Requested by Rep. Bowen”
Rep. Bowen Statement on “Fair Deal” Sales Tax Measure in Gov. Evers’ Budget
Feb 12th, 2021 by State Rep. David Bowen“A Welcome, Commonsense Proposal”
