FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAG

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2000

(202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT BY DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER ON MEETING WITH THE FAMILY OF RAYNARD JOHNSON

Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Bill Lann Lee today met with family members and neighbors of Raynard Johnson, and with Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Attorney General Janet Reno also attended part of today's meeting. Following the meeting, Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement:

"Today I had the opportunity to meet with several family members and friends of Raynard Johnson. It was an informative meeting about a very tragic incident.

"During the meeting, I had the opportunity to listen to the concerns of family and other individuals who were present. I explained that the FBI, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney's office in Jackson, Mississippi, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and local authorities, is actively investigating this incident."

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