Statement from the Board of Directors of the
National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles
The National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles (NABJLA) stands with the Spann family in demanding accountability for the killing of our friend, colleague, and member, Margo Spann.
Beverly White reports on Margo Spann on NBC4.
Margo was crossing the street while walking her dog when Ruben Granados struck her with his pickup truck. Granados didn’t offer her care, he didn’t stop, and didn’t turn himself in. Margo was hit hard enough that people nearby could hear it happen. And she died while lying in the street. Granados was released on bail shortly after his arrest.
On Monday, June 28th, Granados will appear in court. The Spann family has heard that he may receive probation in a case where he is charged with felony hit and run.
“It’s mind-boggling to think that someone could be eligible for probation for felony hit and run and actually killing someone,” said Rev. Peter Spann, Margo’s brother. “So to learn this information has been troubling, it’s been unsettling.”
“We just want accountability,” Spann continued. “We’re not looking for an eye for an eye, but we believe that real justice cannot be probation.”
Like and with the Spann family, we demand accountability for the killing of Margo Spann.
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NABJLA President jarrett hill shared the below letter to the organization’s members and friends:
from: jarrett hill, president of nabjla
subject lines: you may disagree with me, but...
message:
happy thursday to you, i’m sending you joy and peace as you read.
as you may remember, a few months ago we lost one of the members of our board of directors, margo spann. she was killed near home, in an arlington heights crosswalk while walking her dog, the victim of hit and run. a man in a large pickup truck hit her, didn’t offer her care, and continued driving.
after he was arrested, ruben granados was released on bail. today, margo’s family is upset and concerned that the man who hit and killed her is now likely to get probation. (nabjla member beverly white recently did a story on nbc4, talking to the family about their upset over this possibility.)
“it’s mind-boggling to think that someone could be eligible for probation for felony hit and run and actually killing someone,” said rev. peter spann, margo’s brother. “so to learn this information has been troubling, it’s been unsettling.”
“we just want accountability,” spann continued. “we’re not looking for an eye for an eye, but we believe that real justice cannot be probation.”
as an individual, and not on behalf of this organization, i have strong feelings about the overuse of policing and jails –– but that’s another rant for another day. those feelings aside, and with awareness that our district attorney is committed to putting less people in jail, this feels like injustice.
i’m clear that we as an organization of journalists do not typically raise our voices in matters of criminal justice, especially when they don’t pertain specifically to journalism-related issues.
but this feels different.
if part of our mission is to make sure that the stories of black people are told in ways that are equitable and honest, margo deserves that. if we believe that we are, in part, to be a community and support system for black journalists, margo deserves that support from her community. if we believe that black lives matter and black bodies are of value, margo’s life mattered. margo was one of us. if we can’t speak up for a black journalist, killed in the middle of the street in broad daylight, who do we speak up for?
we know the level of compassion and respect for black women is abysmal in this country. we know black women who experience harm are often overlooked by the newsrooms we’ve been a part of. we also know that were margo our mother, sister, or close friend we’d use every avenue at our disposal to advocate for accountability for her death.
i’ve had many conversations with many people on this and how i should handle this, how we should handle this. some will disagree with us chiming in or piping up about this. while i don’t hold your point of view, i understand it, truly. i’ve ruminated on this for a good while and here’s the truth of it: i believe that we as black journalists are black people first and if ever there was a time that we are more empowered to use our voices, 2021 is that time. i’d be disappointed in us as an organization, and in myself as a leader, if this community didn’t stand with margo’s family regarding probation not being accountability in this case.
for those of you who are interested in expressing your displeasure you can visit, call, or email the district attorney’s office.
for those of you who don’t feel comfortable expressing an opinion on the issue but do feel compelled to make more people aware of the story, consider covering it in your outlets, talking about it on social media, use your platform.
ruben granados, the man who hit margo, is due in court on monday, june 28th. the nabjla board of directors has just issued a statement standing with the Spann family in demanding accountability.
If you’re going to raise your voice about this – in whichever way you choose – now would be the time.
in service,
jarrett hill, nabjla president