Honoring Ryan Lee Stokes: A Mother's Fight for Justice and Truth
SAY THEIR NAME - Episode 8
Narene Stokes Crosby's world shattered when her only son, Ryan Lee Stokes, was killed by police in Kansas City, MO. For the past decade, she's been on a relentless mission to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. Her story is a powerful testament to a mother's love and the ongoing struggle against police violence.
**Use our Glossary Of Terms for help understanding some of the terminology**
A Boy With Dreams
Ryan was more than just a statistic. He was a young man with aspirations, described by his mother as having "an old soul." Growing up surrounded by sisters and girl cousins, he was determined to carve out his own identity. Narene fondly remembers his competitive spirit in sports and his budding entrepreneurial dreams of owning businesses like his father's dry cleaners.
"Ryan was headed for a good life. If they wouldn't have killed him, I believe he would have been a very outstanding, likable person in this world." - Narene Stokes Crosby
The Night Everything Changed
On July 28, 2013, Ryan's life was cut short in a police shooting at Kansas City's Power and Light District. The official narrative claimed he had a gun and refused to drop it. Narene knew immediately this couldn't be true.
"I know he didn't carry a gun. So where is this coming from?"
Through persistence and the help of witnesses, Narene uncovered a very different story. Ryan had been trying to de-escalate a situation when police intervened aggressively. He fled, was given car keys by a friend, and was shot in the back as he reached the vehicle – all while unarmed.
Fighting For The Truth
Narene's battle for justice has been uphill. She faced roadblocks at every turn:
Delayed notification of Ryan's death
Misinformation from police about the circumstances
A secret grand jury ruling without family involvement
The shield of qualified immunity protecting officers from accountability
"Ryan's name got swept under the rug," Narene laments. "They wanted to keep it silent for some reason or (they did) not (want us to) find out what really happened."
Keeping Ryan's Memory Alive
Despite the setbacks, Narene refuses to let Ryan be forgotten. She's worked to:
Establish a basketball court in Ryan's name
Create scholarships honoring his love of community sports
Collaborate with other mothers who've lost children to police violence
Speak out to raise awareness and push for accountability
How You Can Help
Narene's story highlights the ongoing need for police reform and support for families affected by police violence. Here's how you can take action:
Educate yourself on qualified immunity and push for its reform [learn more from a former officer turned advocate]
Support organizations working to end police violence
Amplify the stories of victims like Ryan Lee Stokes
Advocate for greater police accountability in your community
Listen to the full episode to hear Narene's powerful account of Ryan's life, the night he was killed, and her ongoing fight for justice. Join the Say Their Name community in honoring Ryan Lee Stokes and supporting those working to prevent future tragedies.
Ready to dive deeper into the Stoke’s family’s story? Listen to the full episode for more on the life of Ryan and Narene’s fight for justice. And remember, until truth and justice are obtained, we will always Say Their Name.
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