VALERIE BELL, VALERIE CASTILE & VICTORIA DAVIS ENDORSE LUCY LANG FOR MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Family Members Of Sean Bell, Philando Castile & Delrawn Small Agree: Lang Is The Candidate With The Experience & Vision To Deliver On Reforms

October 20, 2020

Today, Valerie Bell, Valerie Castile and Victoria Davis – activists and family members of Sean Bell, Philando Castile, and Delrawn Small, respectively – endorsed Lucy Lang for Manhattan District Attorney. All three women have lost family members to police violence and have worked with Lucy to push for police and criminal justice reforms. Bell, Castile and Davis championed Lucy’s vision for a District Attorney’s office that will promote the dignity of every New Yorker, uphold racial and gender equity, and work with all those that are impacted by the system – including victims, incarcerated people, and their families - to enact transformative criminal justice reforms.

“Lucy treats everyone she meets with dignity, and really cares about the most vulnerable communities in New York. I have seen that she has the strength to hold the powerful accountable, but also the heart to show crime victims grace in their darkest hours,” said Valerie Bell, activist and mother of Sean Bell, who was shot to death by police in November 2006. “Lucy has fought to change the system from the inside and outside, working with victims, incarcerated people, and their families to push for reform. She has my unquestioned endorsement.”

“Lucy truly listens. I’m proud to stand with her in her candidacy for district attorney, as she has stood beside my family during our fight for justice,” said Valerie Castile, activist and mother of Philando Castile, who was shot to death by police in July 2016. “Lucy is a beacon of hope for criminal justice reform nationwide, and has the experience to make her vision a reality.”

“In the years I have worked alongside Lucy, she has shown me and my family that she has the expertise as a lawyer and activist, as well as the true human compassion, that we need in a district attorney,” said Victoria Davis, activist and sister of Delrawn Small, who was shot to death by police in July 2016. “Lucy is a tireless force in the fight for police reform. I am proud to stand beside her as we work to hold law enforcement accountable and build a justice system that works for all New Yorkers.”

“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Ms. Bell, Ms. Castile and Ms. Davis – three champions of reform and women who have experienced firsthand the systemic injustices that are inherent to the current system,” said Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Lucy Lang. “Far too many young Black men and women have lost their lives to a system that is often unfair, unjust and unaccountable. I’m beyond grateful for Ms. Bell, Ms. Castile, and Ms. Davis’ support and shared vision for a District Attorney’s office that promotes the dignity of every New Yorker, prioritizes prevention and rehabilitation, and holds the powerful accountable.”

To learn more about how Lucy plans to hold police accountable and reform policing to work for our communities, view her priorities and recent press.