There are people in this country whose lives are disposable; more and more of us are sick of it.
The Ferguson Action site calls this a Wave of Indignation.” I like that. Many of us, in many places, will take to the streets today to demand that police stop killing and to insist that #BlackLivesMatter.
The billboard at San Francisco's Galeria de la Raza currently displays the faces of 20 murdered individuals, most killed by various sorts of police officers, all the objects of bigotry, and nearly all the targets of racism(s).
I found tracking down who they were an instructive exercise. I hope you too find this catalog of interest. Clockwise from the upper left corner:
Aiyana Jones, African American, was only seven years old when she was shot by the Detroit Police Department's Special Response Team in 2010. The shooter, Officer Joseph Weekley, escaped conviction in three trials.
Jordan Davis, African American, was shot dead in Jacksonville, FL in 2012 by a white software developer who objected to the Black youth playing loud music. After two trials, Michael David Dunn was found guilt of first degree murder.
Ramarley Graham, African American, was killed by NYPD officer Richard Haste in his home in March 2012. No gun was found. Police say Graham was caught flushing marijuana down the toilet. Graham's six year old brother witnessed the shooting.
Islan Nettles, African American, was killed by persons unidentified outside a New York City police precinct station in 2013. The murder of this young transwoman seems not to have been a matter of much importanace to the NYPD.
Jonathan Ferrell, African American, went looking for help after an auto accident in a suburban Charlotte, NC neighborhood in 2013. A white police officer, Randall Kerrick, responding to a call from a local homeowner, shot him dead as he ran toward the arriving police cars.
Vonderrit Myers, African American, shot by St. Louis police in October, was no "innocent" victim. He had a prior gun violence arrest and police produced pictures of Myers with a gun. But did a cop moonlighting as a security guard have to chase and shoot him?
Alejandra Leos, Latina, a transwoman shot outside her home in Memphis in September 2014. Police arrested a suspect.
Jesus Huerta, Latino, somehow shot himself or was shot while in Durham, NC police custody last November. He was handcuffed in a squad car in which the video monitoring system was turned off. Huerta's parents had requested police aid in committing their drug-up son.
Oscar Grant, African American, was shot in the back by a BART (transit) cop on New Years Day 2009. The killing was caught on video. The killer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served a short sentence.
Alan Buford, African American, an unarmed high school senior, inexplicably killed by Oakland police officer Miguel Masso on May 6, 2012.
Mike Brown, African American, was killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO on August 9. His body was left uncovered in the sun on the street for 4 and a half hours. Wilson was not indicted.
Yanira Serrano, Latina, who suffered from diagnosed schizophrenia, died on June 3 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA when her family called for police help to get her to take medicine. Within 30 seconds of arriving, Deputy Menh Trieu had shot the disabled woman.
Kelly Thomas, white and homeless, died of injuries inflicted by three police officers in Fullerton, CA. According to doctors when he was delivered to a hospital unconscious, bones in his face were broken and he had choked on his own blood. All three officers were found "not guilty" of all charges.
Jose Antonio Rodriquez, a Mexican national, was shot from a surveillance tower atop the U.S. border fence on the street in his home of Nogales, Sonora in 2012. The U.S. government has not named any of its officers as responsible. The teen was unarmed.
Renisha McBride, African American, went looking for help after an auto accident in 2013 and was shot, through the door, when she approached the door of Theodore Wafer, a white homeowner. Wafer was convicted of second-degree murder.
Eric Garner, African American, was choked to death by Officer Daniel Pantaleo on July 17 while selling single cigarettes on the street. His last words were "I can't breathe."
Andy Lopez, Latino, was in eighth grade in Santa Rosa, CA in 2013 when he was killed by Erick Gelhaus, a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy. He was carrying a toy replica of an AK-47.
Omar Abrego, Latino, died of a beating by Los Angeles police oficers at a traffic stop in August 2014.
Brandy Martell, African American, was gunned down in 2012 in Oakland, CA in what community members believe was a hate crime against the transwoman.
Alex Nieto, Latino, was shot by San Francisco police officers while sitting in a park, alone, eating a burrito on March 21. The City is still stonewalling releasing the names of the killer(s) or any evidence in the case.
The Ferguson Action site calls this a Wave of Indignation.” I like that. Many of us, in many places, will take to the streets today to demand that police stop killing and to insist that #BlackLivesMatter.
 |
| Click to enlarge. |
I found tracking down who they were an instructive exercise. I hope you too find this catalog of interest. Clockwise from the upper left corner:
Aiyana Jones, African American, was only seven years old when she was shot by the Detroit Police Department's Special Response Team in 2010. The shooter, Officer Joseph Weekley, escaped conviction in three trials.
Jordan Davis, African American, was shot dead in Jacksonville, FL in 2012 by a white software developer who objected to the Black youth playing loud music. After two trials, Michael David Dunn was found guilt of first degree murder.
Ramarley Graham, African American, was killed by NYPD officer Richard Haste in his home in March 2012. No gun was found. Police say Graham was caught flushing marijuana down the toilet. Graham's six year old brother witnessed the shooting.
Islan Nettles, African American, was killed by persons unidentified outside a New York City police precinct station in 2013. The murder of this young transwoman seems not to have been a matter of much importanace to the NYPD.
Jonathan Ferrell, African American, went looking for help after an auto accident in a suburban Charlotte, NC neighborhood in 2013. A white police officer, Randall Kerrick, responding to a call from a local homeowner, shot him dead as he ran toward the arriving police cars.
Vonderrit Myers, African American, shot by St. Louis police in October, was no "innocent" victim. He had a prior gun violence arrest and police produced pictures of Myers with a gun. But did a cop moonlighting as a security guard have to chase and shoot him?
Alejandra Leos, Latina, a transwoman shot outside her home in Memphis in September 2014. Police arrested a suspect.
Jesus Huerta, Latino, somehow shot himself or was shot while in Durham, NC police custody last November. He was handcuffed in a squad car in which the video monitoring system was turned off. Huerta's parents had requested police aid in committing their drug-up son.
Oscar Grant, African American, was shot in the back by a BART (transit) cop on New Years Day 2009. The killing was caught on video. The killer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served a short sentence.
Alan Buford, African American, an unarmed high school senior, inexplicably killed by Oakland police officer Miguel Masso on May 6, 2012.
Mike Brown, African American, was killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO on August 9. His body was left uncovered in the sun on the street for 4 and a half hours. Wilson was not indicted.
Yanira Serrano, Latina, who suffered from diagnosed schizophrenia, died on June 3 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA when her family called for police help to get her to take medicine. Within 30 seconds of arriving, Deputy Menh Trieu had shot the disabled woman.
Kelly Thomas, white and homeless, died of injuries inflicted by three police officers in Fullerton, CA. According to doctors when he was delivered to a hospital unconscious, bones in his face were broken and he had choked on his own blood. All three officers were found "not guilty" of all charges.
Jose Antonio Rodriquez, a Mexican national, was shot from a surveillance tower atop the U.S. border fence on the street in his home of Nogales, Sonora in 2012. The U.S. government has not named any of its officers as responsible. The teen was unarmed.
Renisha McBride, African American, went looking for help after an auto accident in 2013 and was shot, through the door, when she approached the door of Theodore Wafer, a white homeowner. Wafer was convicted of second-degree murder.
Eric Garner, African American, was choked to death by Officer Daniel Pantaleo on July 17 while selling single cigarettes on the street. His last words were "I can't breathe."
Andy Lopez, Latino, was in eighth grade in Santa Rosa, CA in 2013 when he was killed by Erick Gelhaus, a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy. He was carrying a toy replica of an AK-47.
Omar Abrego, Latino, died of a beating by Los Angeles police oficers at a traffic stop in August 2014.
Brandy Martell, African American, was gunned down in 2012 in Oakland, CA in what community members believe was a hate crime against the transwoman.
Alex Nieto, Latino, was shot by San Francisco police officers while sitting in a park, alone, eating a burrito on March 21. The City is still stonewalling releasing the names of the killer(s) or any evidence in the case.
No comments:
Post a Comment