Sierra Club Statement on Deaths of Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 15, 2020
Contacts:
Angeles Chapter Senior Director Morgan Goodwin. Phone: 530 562 7176
San Gorgonio Chapter Chair Mary Ann Ruiz. Phone: 909-815-9379
Press Statement:
On May 31st, Malcolm Harsch was found hanging from a tree in front of the Victorville City Library. Then on June 10th, Robert Fuller was found hanging from a tree in front of the Palmdale City Hall. In both cases, authorities initially declared these deaths suicides. After public pressure, Robert Fuller’s death is being investigated and the sheriff has asked the state Attorney General and the FBI. Malcolm Harsch’s death remains classified a suicide as county supervisors remain silent on the demand for a thorough investigation.*
In response, Sharon Koch, Chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and Mary Ann Ruiz, Chair of the Sierra Club San Gorgonio Chapter released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club strongly supports the calls of the families of Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch for full and independent investigations of their deaths. The rush to conclude these cases without investigations is entirely unacceptable.
“The profound trauma being felt by Black communities here in California and across the country is immeasurable. It’s impossible to ignore the manner of Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch’s deaths, and the failure to fully investigate them ignores their historical context. The Sierra Club joins in the demands for their deaths to be fully and independently investigated.”
About Sierra Club:
Sierra Club is a nationwide grassroots environmental organization with more than 500,000 members and supporters in California. The Angeles Chapter is the grassroots organization which covers Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The San Gorgonio Chapter covers San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
*Update: We learned as of Monday, June 14th, Malcolm Harsch's death is also being investigated with support from the state's Attorney General and the DOJ.
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