SACRAMENTO, Calif — California prosecutors are asking the NFL to remove a video produced as part of the league’s Inspire Change campaign.
California District Attorneys Association president Vern Pierson said on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, that the video produced as part of the league's Inspire Change campaign misrepresents the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting of a Black man in 2018.
The video shows Se'quette Clark speaking about the death of her son, Stephon Clark, who was killed in the backyard of his grandparents’ home after a chase by Sacramento police. The shooting led to weeks of protests.
Se'quette Clark responded to Pierson in a statement saying she wanted to highlight aspects of the case that Pierson did not bring up, such a man turned himself to law enforcement, confessing to car vandalism a week after Stephon Clark died.
She said Stephon Clark was running away from their neighbor with a baseball bat, not police officers.
Se'Quette Clark said she met with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who apologized that his investigation was based solely that of the report filed by Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert.
“The truth never needs help or proof," Se'quette Clark said in a statement. "Only the guilty offer up explanations to justify their actions or lack thereof.”
NFL officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
At a press conference outside the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, Stevante Clark, Stephon's brother, said he is "sick and tired of the smear campaign against my brother who is no longer here to defend himself.”
"Shame! Shame not only on Shubert. Shame on the California District Attorney’s Union. Shame! Shame! Shame," Stevante Clark said. "She is not representing the fights and the rights and the causes of the undeserved…the underrepresented and at-risk communities. She has failed, and that’s why she needs to be recalled.”
Schubert ruled the officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark acted lawfully.
Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, said in a press release the organization wants to continue to ensure victims of systematic racism are not forgotten.
"As part of Inspire Change, we will use our platform to recognize these individuals throughout history and support organizations that foster positive relationships between law enforcement and their communities," Isaacson said in the release.
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