AURORA, Colo. — Before the Aurora city council meeting Monday night, family, friends and community members remembering Kilyn Lewis gathered outside.
After months of calling for accountability, they learned Friday that the Aurora police officer who shot and killed him in May will not face charges.
That decision has Lewis's family frustrated. In a letter, Robert Lewis, Kilyn Lewis's father, said the district attorney's decision not to charge the officer sends the message that Black lives are disposable and their pain is insignificant.
Calls of "no justice, no peace" filled the air outside the Aurora Municipal Center Monday. Many people gathered on the steps stressed they will not give up the fight, and will continue to push for justice.
"And that's what we mean. I am so disappointed in this outcome, but as Auon'tai has stated, we was not surprised," said LaRonda Jones, Kilyn Lewis' mother.
Jones said more than 100 days after her son's death, the decision by District Attorney John Kellner not to charge the officer who shot and killed him wasn't a shock. But how they found out was.
"I didn't get a phone call," Jones said. "My son didn't get a phone call. My daughter didn't get a phone call. Our advocates didn't get a phone call. We had to learn from the media. And I think that is disgraceful and distasteful."
Kilyn Lewis was unarmed, holding only a phone, when officers were attempting to take him into custody.
Robert Lewis said he waited months for answers and transparency from police and investigators about what happened that day, only to be disappointed.
"But I stand for my son. And he did not deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that," Robert Lewis said.
Alexander Landau, Founder and Executive Director of the Denver Justice Project, said here in Aurora and around Colorado, they've seen officers avoid charges after fatal shootings. He hopes now to help the family through change.
"Justice would be Kilyn at home with his family. Justice would be Kilyn growing old with his grandchildren. This family will never get justice, but what we can strive for is accountability mechanisms being put into place so hopefully we can prevent the perpetuation of this type of brutality in the future," Landau said.
"There's a lot we can do and we will do," Jones said. "We will march and we will stand tall and we will speak with loud voices until we are heard."
During Monday night's city council meeting, family and community advocates continued to bring these issues to the council, just as they've been doing for months now. They feel the city isn't listening and hope anyone frustrated by the inaction in Lewis's death is motivated to vote for people who will represent them when it's time.