February 2022: Injustices
Unfortunately, the United States has systematically disregarded its responsibility to provide fair and lawful treatment of its citizens, regardless of race, gender, orientation, and socioeconomic status. “Injustices” will be a new addition to my blog as I attempt to provide information about unfolding events of injustice throughout the nation. This section will include summaries, alternative sources, and methods of help for readers.
(2/2/2022) Police shooting of AMIR LOCKE
Aged 22, African-American Amir Locke was fatally shot by an MPD officer. Locke was under investigation for the murder of 38-year-old Otis Elder and police entered his apartment with a “No-Knock” search warrant. Body Cam footage depicts Locke holding a gun as the police entered his home. 3 shots are heard after police allege that Locke pointed his weapon at an officer. Protests throughout Minneapolis followed the murder pushing for the accountability of the MPD.
This event depicts the systematic disregard for the US’s “innocent until proven guilty” value as it is added to the list of PoC lives stolen by law enforcement before trial. Suggested methods to improve the risk of this event being repeated has included a halt of “No-Knock” search warrants which increase panic and confusion during police activities. Mayor Jacob Frey put into place a halt on this police activity until “a new policy is crafted”. Protesters also called for the termination and special prosecution of Officer Hanneman who was responsible for Amir’s death.
How to Help?
Protests continue in Minneapolis to protest the MPD’s lack of accountability.
Donate to the Amir Locke Memorial Fund (Funds given directly to Amir’s parents, Andre Locke and Karen Wells)
Learn More:
(22/2/2022) Wrongly accused JU’ZEMA GOLDRING compensated for unjustified jailing.
After spending over 5 months in Fulton County Jail, Glodring’s lawyers were able to prove the ridiculousness of her charges with no basing. Ju’Zema was caught jaywalking in a predominantly LGBTQ+ neighborhood by Atlanta PD officers and searched in an “invasive” manner. Ju’zema was berated by transgender slurs as well as falsely accused of possession of cocaine in a stress-ball filling. The officers jailed Goldring for months even as drug tests continued to come back negative for the substance within stress-ball. This injustice has been described as “bogus” and “a joke” due to its incredible lack of justification throughout. For her months of subjugation to sexual misconduct and mental health degradation, Goldring has finally been compensated. Although this monetary solution will not fix the trauma of this jailing, Goldring’s case brings to light the levels of injustice that PoC trans-women face in America and the lengths at which they need to strive for justice.