Statement of Cynthia McKinney on the death of State Senator Robert Brown
9 December 2011

*"We all are diminished by Robert's irreplaceable absence.  And I have lost
a dear friend."*

It was with shock and disbelief that I received a phone call yesterday
evening around 6:18 informing me that State Senator Robert Brown had been
found dead in his home.  Later, I learned that the coroner reported that he
died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  I am still stunned and dazed and
confused.  I don't understand this at all.  State Senator Brown and I were
working on a project to infuse Georgia politics with a much-needed added
dimension:  that is, independent voting.  Due to Georgia ballot access and
other election laws, it is veritably impossible for voters to declare their
independence from both the Democratic and Republican parties' monopoly over
Georgia politics.  State Senator Robert Brown came to see how the current
political landscape could be improved in our State by widening the
political discourse to include voters who consider themselves as
"independents."

Robert and I talked for hours at a time approximately once a month about
the progress of various projects in addition to our independent voter
project.  We had also discussed putting a newspaper together for Middle
Georgia that catered to the independent voter.  And the unresolved
situation of Black Farmers was also a part of our conversation.  Due to
travel commitments, I was late with my "check-in" with Robert and had just
mentioned to family and friends last week that I needed to check in with
Robert.  This news is just devastating.

The loss to Georgia is unmeasurable.  State Senator Robert Brown loved
Georgia.  He loved Macon.  I endorsed him in his recent run for that city's
Mayor.  The media demonization of him was such that I received a call
during his campaign from a supporter saying that "they [the media] were
treating Robert worse than" the media treat me!  I checked in with Robert
and we had a laugh about it.  It is no laughing matter, however.  Despite
Robert not winning the Mayor's race, with me he continually discussed his
commitment to changing the level of engagement in Georgia politics,
particularly of Georgia's Black voters.

Robert was a servant leader, never thinking of himself, but always of the
people of this State and their needs.  I am still in a state of shock and
am searching for information and answers.  We all are diminished by
Robert's irreplaceable absence.  And I have lost a dear friend.
--
http://dignity.ning.com/
http://www.enduswars.org
http://www.livestream.com/dignity
http://www.twitter.com/dignityaction
http://www.myspace.com/dignityaction
http://www.myspace.com/runcynthiarun
http://www.twitter.com/cynthiamckinney
http://www.facebook.com/CynthiaMcKinney
http://www.youtube.com/runcynthiarun

Silence is the deadliest weapon of mass destruction.

"The biggest weapon in the hands of the oppressors is the minds of the
oppressed." Steve Biko

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