Rep. Sykes Issues Statement on Jayland Walker March for Change
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) issued the following statement on the Jayland Walker March for Change in Akron today:
“As the Congresswoman for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, ensuring the safety and security of our communities is one of my top priorities. We can all agree that significant changes are needed so everyone in this community feels safe, and I am ready to work with anyone who is willing to help accomplish that goal,” said Rep. Sykes. “We all have an obligation to work together to keep our communities safe, and that starts by building trust between law enforcement officers and the people they swore an oath to protect and serve. Together, we can improve public safety by ensuring accountability, transparency, and justice in our policing.”
On April 24, 2023, Congresswoman Sykes sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to initiate an investigation into the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department (APD) following the death of Jayland Walker.