Letter to Presidential Candidates

November 24, 2015
  
Dear 2016 Presidential Candidates:
 
This letter is being sent to all Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
 
We believe there is an issue in this campaign that so far has received only limited attention. We hope to change that. The issue has to do with the actions of the Department of Justice with reference to the investigation and proposed settlement with the City of Ferguson and other Civil Rights investigations. 
 
As you may know, the Department of Justice investigated the City of Ferguson for Constitutional violations and is currently attempting to negotiate a consent decree with the City.  To date, the Department of Justice has not released any of the information it collected and evaluated and has told the City is cannot release its settlement demands. 
 
This lack of transparency, secrecy even, is undermining trust and keeping our City and our nation from moving forward.  Protesters are concerned that the DOJ has softened its findings to protect the Ferguson city administration.  Residents believe the DOJ has selectively released information to present Ferguson as far worse than it is, and is now using that distorted view to justify bankrupting the City. 
 
We the residents of Ferguson have a right to transparency – we have a right to see for ourselves the information upon which the Department of Justice based its report.  A public presentation of everything is our best chance of bringing clarity, justice and progress to Ferguson and yes to the United States.  And this level of transparency needs to become the norm for Civil Rights investigations going forward.  We need to continue the conversation that began in Ferguson.  But we must do so from a foundation of truth.
 
We are asking you, if elected President, to commit to requiring the Department of Justice to provide full transparency into Civil Rights investigations, including Ferguson. 
 
We respectfully ask that you fill out the enclosed questionnaire and return it to Ferguson Truth.  Our country needs to continue its journey towards greater equality and freedom for all.  Shining the light of transparency on this process will help our country navigate its path to a more inclusive and stronger United States. 
 
Respectfully,
 
 
The Members of Ferguson Truth

Download Letter and Survey as PDF