Just a few days after actress Issa Rae launched a GoFundMe initiative to raise $200,000 for Alton Sterling’s children, the campaign has successfully raised nearly $650,000 from over 22,000 supporters.
As previously reported, the father of five was killed on Tuesday morning during an encounter with two Baton Rouge police officers, who were questioning him after there were reports of a man carrying a gun and threatening others. Sterling was shot multiple times in the chest and back. A graphic video of the situation surfaced, and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) called for the Department of Justice to launch a civil rights investigation to find out what exactly happened during the altercation.
Richmond (D-La.) shared in a statement:
“There are a number of unanswered questions surrounding Mr. Sterling’s death, including questions about the initial calls for police presence, the level of force used by officers, the verbal and physical altercation and the response of the officers after he was shot. I call on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a full and transparent investigation into this incident. The cause of justice requires state and local law enforcement to join in this request as soon as possible. I ask the leaders and citizens of Baton Rouge to join me in demonstrating our anger with dignity and demanding proper focus on our cause with perseverance. His family and the citizens of Baton Rouge — especially the citizens of North Baton Rouge — deserve answers and that is what we will seek in a fair, thorough, and transparent way.”
All funds from the campaign will go towards a scholarship fund for Sterling’s children. During a recent update, Rae shared details about Philando Castile’s death:
“With every update, know that I am more and more inspired by our ability to come together and take action TOGETHER. Unfortunately #PhilandoCastile’s life was senselessly taken last night, by another “careless” police officer. Thank you all for your support in donating to the #AltonSterlingFamily Scholarship Fund and for spreading the word.”
Castile was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Minnesota on Wednesday. Issa encouraged everyone to support his campaign, which has secured over $150,000 from over 5,000 supporters since its launch on Thursday.
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