Mildenberg Law Firm, p.c.

attorneys at law
1735 Market Street
suite 3750
Philadelphia, PA 19103
tel (215) 545-4870
fax (215) 545-4871
www.mildenberglaw.com

MARCH 20, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF MS. TANYA BROWN-DICKERSON, MOTHER OF
BRANDON TATE-BROWN, deceased,
and her attorney, BRIAN R. MILDENBERG, ESQ.,
REGARDING:

PEACEFUL PROTEST;
RESPECT FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY SETH
WILLIAMS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS;
REJECTING CALLS FOR PUBLIC RELEASE OF THE NAMES OF POLICE
OFFICERS AT THIS TIME; and
REJECTING OFFERS OF PAYMENT TO RELEASE OF NAMES.

Tanya Brown-Dickerson is the mother of Brandon Tate-Brown. Yesterday morning, Ms.

Brown-Dickerson learned from Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams that no criminal
charges would be filed in the police shooting death of her son, which was later that day the
subject of a press conference by the District Attorney. That decision sparked protests that
resulted in arrests of protesters last night.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson rejects all forms of non-peaceful protest. Ms. Brown-Dickerson
rejects all form of violence. Ms. Brown-Dickerson calls for peaceful protests in the manner of
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King protested national injustice, but did so peacefully. Peaceful protest is an
important part of our democracy and right to free speech. Ms. Brown-Dickerson rejects all nonpeaceful actions, and urges anyone who wants to protest her sons death at a public event to do
so peacefully and to act respectfully towards all public officials and police officers in the process
of peacefully protesting.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson calls for the names of the police officers involved to be released to
her and her counsel in order that they may continue the civil investigation into the circumstances.
However, Ms. Brown-Dickerson rejects the call that these names be released to the public at this
time due to the current inflammatory circumstances. Although she believes that her sons civil
rights were violated by these police officers, Ms. Brown-Dickerson is content to address her
complaints through the legal system.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson also calls upon all supporters of her cause to respect police and
law enforcement officers, in the City of Philadelphia, and beyond. That includes Philadelphia

MILDENBERG LAW FIRM, PC

www.mildenberglaw.com
STATEMENT OF MS. TANYA BROWN-DICKERSON
March 20, 2015
Page 2
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Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, as well as District Attorney Seth Williams. Any
protesters who speak to these public servants disrespectfully are urged to behave with dignity,
and to peacefully protest.
All calls for payments of money in exchange for the names of the police officers involved
are rejected. Ms. Brown-Dickerson does not need and does not agree with any offer for this
information. Ms. Brown-Dickerson will pursue this information and any civil rights claims
through appropriate legal channels.
With respect to Police Commissioner Ramsey, and District Attorney Seth Williams, Ms.
Brown-Dickerson respectfully disagrees with them concerning several aspects of this case.
However, it is very important to Ms. Brown-Dickerson for the public to know that both
Commissioner Ramsey and District Attorney Williams have been kind, professional, graceful,
and fully appropriate in their dealings and interactions with her in this matter. They have each
personally spoken with Ms. Brown-Dickerson, expressed their condolences, offered her inperson review of matters, and were very careful to remain respectful and consolatory with her in
their personal interactions.
With regard to police in general, Ms. Brown-Dickerson supports and thanks the
Philadelphia Police Department and all Police Officers for the good work they do in protecting
our communities. Ms. Brown-Dickerson has several civil claims concerning the death of her son
that are adversary to the Police Department. But this does not detract from her support for police
officers in general. Ms. Brown-Dickerson shares in the grieving of all parents or family
members that have lost a childs life due to violence of any nature, and rejects all forms of
violence or threats. Ms. Brown-Dickerson seeks for the entire truth of the shooting incident to be
brought forth and respectfully requests the release of all evidence in the case, even if the
Department needs to redact the names of the police officers involved. But Ms. Brown-Dickerson
believes that the majority of our police officers are heroes and deserve the publics support and
appreciation.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson understands the difference between criminal charges being
declined by the District Attorney and her rights to bring a civil suit to seek justice in this matter.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson is not angry with the District Attorney for his decision, and, in fact, based
upon his in-person explanation of the legal basis for his decision, she accepts the decision in
peace at this time. However, this decision does not limit Ms. Brown-Dickersons rights to seek
to bring forth the truth, in a courtroom, before a jury, in a civil proceeding. And this decision
does not limit the District Attorneys right to reevaluate the case at a later time if a civil
proceeding brings forth evidence of police wrongdoing. This was acknowledged by the District
Attorney to Ms. Brown-Dickerson yesterday.

MILDENBERG LAW FIRM, PC

www.mildenberglaw.com
STATEMENT OF MS. TANYA BROWN-DICKERSON
March 20, 2015
Page 3
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In closing, Ms. Brown-Dickerson is willing to attend any Town Hall meetings or other
meetings with the Police Commissioner and the District Attorney on the topic of improving
community relations, and offers to play a positive role in such meetings. She will continue to
peacefully protest the shooting death of her son, but she will not and does not support any protest
that is not peaceful. She calls for all disputes to be resolved civilly and peacefully.
Ms. Brown-Dickerson expresses her gratitude to all those, both regular citizens, and law
enforcement officials, who have wished her condolences over the past three months since the
death of her son.
TANYA BROWN-DICKERSON
BRIAN R. MILDENBERG, ESQUIRE
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