PRESS RELEASE for #DeathByCOp March this Tuesday, #April7
Event Page: www.bit.ly/DeathByCop
Endorse/Volunteer: www.bit.ly/EndorseMarch
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“REMEMBER ME”
March of 617 Coffins and Rally for People Who Have been Killed by Law Enforcement in LA County since 2000
On Tuesday, April 7th, friends and family of many of (at least) 617 people killed by law enforcement in LA County since 2000 will lead a march to the County Board of Supervisors’ and District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s office on Tuesday to demand accountability in cases where law enforcement use of force has resulted in death or serious injury, as well as to push for radical policy change in LA County.
A newly formed coalition known as STOP Police Violence is led by families and communities most impacted by law enforcement stop and frisk, broken windows policing, use of force, and mass incarceration, and includes the membership of more than 30 families whose loved ones have been killed by law enforcement, and more than 100 community and faith based organizations, student groups and human rights defenders.
The changes pushed by STOP include: (1) The appointment of a Special Prosecutor by the state of California to investigate use of force and alleged misconduct as well as action by LA County DA Jackie Lacey who has the power to investigate and prosecute each of these incidents; (2) Adoption of a Family Rights Platform for families who are impacted by use of force to ensure respect, dignity and access to information on their loved ones’ case, as well as to County support and resources to bury people who are killed and access mental health counseling for survivors; (3) Change City and County Charters to give community oversight commissions over LAPD and LASD greater community representation, independence and powers; and (4) The transfer of at least 1% in funds from major law enforcement departments within LA County to establish youth development opportunities for youth including 50 comprehensive youth centers, 25,000 youth jobs and 500 intervention/
In addition, public records act requests will be delivered to LAPD Chief Beck, LAPD Inspector General Alex Bustamante, Sheriff Jim McDonnel, DA Jackie Lacey, LA City Attorney Mike Feuer and LASD Inspector General Max Huntsman to force the release of data – that should be shared publicly, but has not been available – on use of force, stops and gang suppression (databases and injunctions).
The march starts from 4 directions ending at 12:30PM – 1:30PM Rally at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple, Downtown LA.
North: 9AM start at Men’s Central Jail @ Bauchet & Vignes; 11:30AM Charly “Africa” Lendu Keunang’s Memorial on 5th & San Pedro.
South: 9AM start at Newton Station, LAPD, 3400 South Central Avenue; 11AM at Traffic Court on Hill Street and Washington;
East: 9AM start at East LA Sheriffs’ Station, 5019 East 3rd Street; 11AM Mariachi Plaza at East First Street & Boyle Avenue.
West: 10AM start at MacArthur Park; 11:15 AM at LAPD Rampart Station.
All directions arrive at 12:30PM to 500 West Temple for rally in front of LA County Board of Supervisors and District Attorney Jackey Lacey’s Office.
At least 617 people have been killed by Los Angeles County law enforcement since 2000 – that’s almost 1 person killed by law enforcement every week in LA. African Americans are 9 percent of LA County’s population but 28% of the people killed by police and sheriffs. Fifty-four percent of those killed are Latino, while the Latino population in LA is 48%. LA County leads the nation BY FAR in law enforcement killings of community members. Since 2000, according the LA County DA’s Office, there has not been a single prosecution in any of these cases. In addition, the DA has reported to us the their office has had an agreement in place since the Cooley administration to not investigate any use of force until the internal investigation conducted by law enforcement has been completed, 6 months to a year after the incident.
Reverend Lewis Logan of the Black/Brown Clergy Coalition describes Tuesday as LA’s largest funeral procession ever. The day will include 617 hand painted 5’ coffins, poetry and street theater, featured testimony from family members of people killed by law enforcement, and the largest known die-in ever staged in LA.
