In an interesting twist of the #MeToo and Ferguson movements, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens was indicted last week by a St. Louis grand jury on one felony charge of invasion of privacy stemming from a 2015 consensual extramarital affair but allegedly nonconsensual taking of nude photos for transmittal. Newly sworn in St. Louis City chief prosecutor Kimberly Gardner, the first Black to hold the position, expressed that St. Louis must have confidence in their political leaders. Kimberly Gardner was elected in 2017, in the aftermath of the Ferguson uprising of 2014 following the killing of Michael Brown. Upon being sworn in, Gardner stated that since the uprising of Ferguson, the public has a new expectation for the role of prosecutor. While the main focus of the #MeToo movement has been on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace, Greitens’ case fits within the larger picture of how powerful men sexually exploit women. If allegations are proven true, Governor … [Read more...] about Missouri Governor Meets #MeToo and Ferguson Movements
justice
Why Tamir Rice $6 Million Settlement is not Justice
Tamir Rice’s family received a $6 million settlement as did the families of Freddie Gray and Eric Garner for wrongs committed by the police resulting in their loved ones’ deaths. Money does not equal justice. In America, where a twelve year old African American child is gunned down for playing in a park near his home and no one is held accountable, indicted, charged or arrested, there is no justice. When a 26 year old African American man is taken into police custody in a police van and receives a spinal cord injury and dies, justice remains elusive as 6 Baltimore police remain free awaiting trials. And when an African American man is arrested by police on the streets of New York City who then yells “I can’t breathe” and dies in a police choke hold with no charges against the police officers, there is no justice. The word "justice" is often used but rarely defined in our culture. The legal symbol of justice is the statue of the blind folded woman holding the equally balanced … [Read more...] about Why Tamir Rice $6 Million Settlement is not Justice
Justice League NYC at Justice Department Seeks Answers
Justice League NYC activists traveled on Monday to the Department of Justice to rally and bring awareness to the lives of women of color killed while in police custody with no clear answers from the Department of Justice or local police officials. The small but diverse group demanded answers in the Sandra Bland case and a host of others, including Raynette Turner, Kindra Chapman, Joyce Curnell, Sarah Lee Circle Bear, Ralkina Jones and other unnamed and unknown women of color. Speakers spoke about a national emergency and rejected the idea that these women dying while in police custody are individual incidents. Sandra Bland at 28 years old died in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas on July 13 after a traffic stop for failing to signal she was changing lanes. Her death while ruled a suicide leaves more questions than answers. While jail guards state that Bland may have had a prior attempt suicide, jail guards made no attempt to keep her safe. Native American Sarah … [Read more...] about Justice League NYC at Justice Department Seeks Answers
Money is not Justice for Eric Garner
A New York City grand jury declined to indict officers on criminal charges for the chokehold death of Eric Garner while the city settled the case for millions before the family ever filed a lawsuit. Garner’s case settled for $5.9 million on Monday. Wrongful death cases take into consideration money to award a family for their loss and criminal cases seek justice and fairness. Some argue that the amount of Garner’s monetary settlement was too high while others say it was not enough money. Wrongful death settlements consider the economic loss to family heirs and the pain and suffering to the deceased before death. The family demanded $75 million in their statutory letter to New York of their intent to file a lawsuit before the 1 year statute of limitations—on Friday. The family may still seek damages against the first responders for allegedly inept first responder assistance. No amount of money equates justice for Eric Garner and his family. Garner died in Staten … [Read more...] about Money is not Justice for Eric Garner