The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Roger Fortson, a service member who was killed by police. Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the SPLC, stated, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a service member at the hands of police." She emphasized that Mr. Fortson had served his country honorably and described his death as unjust.
Huang further highlighted the organization's ongoing efforts to address police brutality against Black individuals. "Our voices here at the SPLC have repeatedly joined the chorus of millions across the United States — and the world — calling for an end to police brutality against Black people," she said. Huang questioned why law enforcement and national authorities have not done more to stop what she described as a cycle of violence.
She urged police departments nationwide to confront issues related to violence and anti-Blackness within their ranks but acknowledged that broader societal change is necessary. "As a nation, we must at last reckon with our past, and with the painful legacy of racism that persists today," Huang concluded. She called for sustained efforts to ensure that Black people's safety, humanity, and dignity are respected daily.