24 Feb
2023

PRESS RELEASE

We, the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Bar Association of Saint Louis, individual and systemic racism in all its forms, and with the Sánchez Family of Saint Louis at the hands of Ms. Judy Ann Kline from January 2022 until unfortunately continue. We share the frustration of the investigation by law enforcement authorities. I trust, we urge the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department to similar cases of racial animus and harassment with the due urgency and respect they deserve.

The history of racism and oppression of Hispanic Americans and other descendants of the Latine Diaspora in our country spans hundreds of years. The consequences of historical and current mistreatment continue to be experienced both at a societal level and as embodied in the health and well-being of Hispanic individuals. As legal professionals, we are all too aware that underlying this case and cases similar to it are patterns of persistent ra disparities. There exists video evidence that the aggression suffered by the Sánchez racially motivated, and this racially motivated aggression fits within these historic patterns.

For these reasons, Missouri law provides enha certain offenses which the state believes to be knowingly motivated national origin of the victim or victims, among others. B motivation present in this case, perpetrated against the Sánchez F we respectfully urge the Circuit Attorney to health treatment for the perpetrator of these hate offenses. Only through accountability can reconciliation be achieved.