Dion Johnson’s family still mourning their loss; AZDPS remains indifferent

Today marks three years since George Floyd and Dion Johnson were killed by police in Minneapolis and Phoenix respectively. Two Black men, separated by thousands of miles in two different cities, were brutally executed on the same day by a dehumanizing system that has been killing Black people for centuries. In the wake of these murders, the streets of Phoenix saw an unprecedented uprising that occurred in all 50 states and spread to over 18 countries worldwide, despite a global pandemic that was and still is disproportionately harming our community. For three years, our community has grieved and demanded accountability for the violence that stole Dion Johnson from his family and from our community.  On the third anniversary of his murder, Dion Johnson’s mother, Erma Johnson, released the following statement:

Today is the anniversary of my son’s murder and my family is in the exact same spot; nothing has progressed. No measures of accountability have been taken. Despite all of the information that has been revealed about the constant misconduct, violent tendencies, and many disciplinary write ups, Public Safety Trooper George Cervantes still has not been held accountable. This cop should never have been on duty patrolling the streets in 2020 when the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) knew what kind of officer he was. He was written up numerous times before he killed Dion. Had DPS done their job and removed him from duty, Cervantes wouldn’t have been on the streets to kill my son that day. Had they put him on light duty, Dion would still be alive. We still have so many unanswered questions as to why my baby boy was killed. Had Cervantes been wearing a camera we would have known. Three years after the protesters have gotten home, the highway is back to normal, and everyone has gone back to their lives, my family remains without closure. ​​It feels like no elected official cares anymore. It feels like Black lives don’t matter.

Mass Liberation Arizona is in solidarity with the Johnson family as they demand accountability for the murder of their loved one. To date, the Johnson family has not been compensated or even received so much as an apology or condolences from AZDPS. We do not demand “justice” for Dion because there is no justice to be issued: Dion was executed. There is only accountability. We will not rest until AZDPS is held accountable for its violence.