Statement on the Tragic Death of Oluwatoyin Salau
WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the murder of Oluwatoyin Salau, David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, released the following statement:
“Oluwatoyin Salau, affectionately known as ‘Toyin,’ was a 19-year-old Black woman and Black Lives Matter activist. Salau was recently featured in a viral video where she passionately called for the realization that Black Lives Matter and for that statement to be true Black Trans Lives must Matter too. She specifically called for justice for Tony McDade, a Black trans man who was killed by police two days after George Floyd was murdered.
“All too often Black women are referred to as the conscience of the nation. Black girls who grow into women often hold space and bear responsibility for others–they are strong in ways they should not be required to be. Too many Black women and girls are subjected to harassment and violence simply because they exist in the intersections of racism and misogyny. For All Lives to Matter, ALL Black Lives must Matter–this includes Black women and girls, cis and trans. Oluwatoyin Salau deserves justice.”
On June 9, Salau was reported missing. #JusticeforToyin began to trend as news spread that the teen was missing. The search ended with the discovery of Salau’s slain body on Saturday, June 13 in Tallahassee.