United States attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of Mississippi and FBI Special Agent Michelle Sutphin announced today their offices have been working with other federal, state, and local agencies in Mississippi to protect state communities from violence and destruction.
They also said they would preserve the rights of citizens to freely speak and assemble per the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution during this time.
In a statement on Sunday, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr noted that federal law enforcement resources would be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to ensure peaceful protests and to reestablish law and order. Southern Mississippi U.S. Attorney Michael Hurst said the death of George Floyd in Minnesota “was heartbreaking and a travesty.”
“But I am proud of the way Mississippians have responded by exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully,” he said. “We will continue to protect people’s constitutional rights to speak and assemble. But I want to be very clear – we will not hesitate to prosecute those who break our laws and cause harm and destruction. Law and order will be maintained coequally with the lawful exercise of individual liberties. We took an oath to support and defend the American people and the Constitution, and we will continue to do just that.”
“The FBI will continue to utilize all of our resources and partnerships, both law enforcement and community, to ensure protection of First Amendment rights and the protection of our communities,” Sutphin said.
Charges have already been brought against a former Minneapolis police officer, and the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are also conducting an independent investigation.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of the agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.