Tag Archives: Eric Holder
DOJ’s Zimmerman investigation calling for public comment
More than 71,500 ColorOfChange members have demanded that the U.S. Department of Justice‘s criminal civil-rights section bring federal charges against George Zimmerman, who has yet to face any legal consequences for profiling and killing Trayvon Martin. The DOJ’s civil rights investigation, launched after Trayvon’s death last spring, remains open,1 and the Department is now actively seeking public input on how it should proceed.2
This week, we’re planning to deliver tens of thousands of powerful comments from ColorOfChange members like you urging the DOJ to do what’s right — so we only have a few days left to get the word out about the Department’s call for public comment. Can you take a moment to sign the petition to the DOJ, and to include a personalized comment when you do?
Thanks,
Rashad Robinson Executive Director, ColorOfChange.org
References
1. “Eric Holder says he shares concerns about Trayvon Martin case,” Washington Post, 07-15-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2841?t=2&akid=3091.1174326.KVoDw6
2. “Justice Dept. collecting public feedback on Zimmerman case,” Washington Post, 07-17-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2847?t=4&akid=3091.1174326.KVoDw6
*************************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************************
|
Dear Friends
George Zimmerman stalked and killed Trayvon Martin in late February of last year. It took 45 days for Sanford, Florida police to arrest 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s admitted killer — and only 16 hours for jurors to acquit him of second-degree murder and manslaughter last night.1
We are angry. We are sad. And we are in pain.
We send our love and support to Trayvon’s parents — Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin — and we grieve with them and the countless other families of Black children who have been killed just for being Black.2
In this time of national sorrow, let’s turn our rightful frustration into action and grow a movement to hold the criminal justice system that fails Black Americans every day3 accountable.
What does it say about our society when a civilian can shoot and kill a Black child who is just walking home from the store, and what can it mean when the killer is set free? What does this say about the value our society places on the lives of young Black children? It tells us that a Black life has little worth. It tells us that Black youth are seen as nothing more than violent criminals.4 And it tells us how much more work we must do to achieve a just society.
The police department in Sanford botched the investigation from start to finish.5 But we did not stay silent. Had it not been for the dedicated activism and work of Trayvon’s family, ColorOfChange members and countless others, Zimmerman may have never been arrested — let alone gone to trial. Our collective commitment to fight for justice for Trayvon was overwhelming. We responded. We organized. We forced authorities to make an arrest in a case that easily could have been forgotten, just like so many before. The US Department of Justice was forced to intervene, and although it took 45 days, Zimmerman was eventually arrested and charged with murder.6
Thousands of ColorOfChange members spoke out against Florida’s “Shoot First” law, which initially shielded George Zimmerman from arrest and prosecution.7 The shadowy lobbying organization the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) — and its deep-pocketed supporters at the National Rifle Association (NRA) — proliferated these laws around the country. Since ColorOfChange began drawing attention to ALEC’s role in crafting these deadly Shoot First laws, 52 corporations and nonprofits and at least 70 state legislators have publicly disavowed any relationship with the group.8
Thanks and Peace,
–Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Jamar, Aimée and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team August 5th, 2013
Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.
Share this:
Brian, Campaign for a Fair Settlement
Invest in standing up to Wall Street criminals!
Real change requires dramatic actions like those going on in Washington today.
Connect with the Campaign for a Fair Settlement
As you read this dozens of Home Defenders are risking arrest fighting for struggling homeowners across the country by demanding an end to “Too Big to Jail” on the steps of the Department of Justice. Hundreds more are rallying in support. We at CFS are incredibly proud of how supporters like you have stepped up to make the Week of Action a success.
No one knows what is going to happen today, but we do know that, without dramatic actions like this, the problems and concerns of average Americans will always be overshadowed by the influence bought by Wall Street bankers. Only through organized and committed actions like the Justice to Justice Week of Action can we combat that influence.
Please invest in ensuring we can continue to fight aggressively for you and millions of others. Invest $25 or whatever you can today.
We’ve accomplished so much already, but we know that we have more to do before we accomplish our goals. As long as people are still in danger of losing their homes and Wall Street continues to press for deregulation, CFS will continue to fight to push the Obama Administration for widespread mortgage reductions and increased scrutiny on Wall Street.
The fight is not over! Invest $25 now to make sure we can keep fighting with the millions of struggling homeowners who need justice.
Your decision to stand up to Wall Street and say “enough is enough.” was a critical first step towards holding Wall Street criminals accountable and preventing future economic disasters from happening. The next step is to take actions powerful enough to force Wall Street and the Administration to do the right thing. That’s why we’re at the DOJ today and that’s why we need to do more in the future.
Invest today and allow us to continue that fight. Please donate $25 or whatever you can.
The hundreds of foreclosure fighters and home defenders fighting for justice in DC wouldn’t be there without you. Let’s take it to the next level.
In solidarity,
Brian Kettenring, Campaign Director, Campaign for a Fair Settlement Executive Director, Action for the Common Good
http://www.campaignforfairsettlement.org/
Share this:
Urgent Petition to: Attorney General Holder and Rob McKenna – No free passes for Wall Street –
No free passes for Wall Street
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and a number of state attorneys general — including Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna, who is on the negotiating team — are close to signing a deal that would let the Wall Street banks most responsible for the subprime mortgage crisis off the hook.
That’s wrong, and we need your help to stop it.
Use the form on this page to add your name to my urgent petition to Attorney General Holder and Rob McKenna — tell them not to let Wall Street off the hook for running our economy off the road.
Click on the link below …
http://action.jayinslee.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8187&tag=20111215_em_signers
Thank you for all that you do
In Solidarity
Share this:
Every Woman Deserves Human Rights
 |
My name is Shawanna Lumsey and I was shackled when I gave birth to my son. I’ve made some mistakes in my life, but no expectant mother, no woman, no person should ever be treated the way I was. Eight years ago, I was convicted of credit card fraud and received a six-year prison sentence. At the time, I was five months pregnant. I vividly remember the day I went into labor. I was in my cell at the McPherson Unit in Newport, Arkansas. It was very early in the morning and my labor pains were very sharp. I contacted the guard and was given two Tylenol. Those two Tylenol were the only pain pills I ever got. After some delay, I was taken to the hospital. The pains were so intense that I literally had to grab the wall to steady myself. I got to the van outside for my short drive to the hospital and that’s when the shackles were put on. At the hospital there was only one brief moment when they removed the shackles — when I put on my hospital gown. My ankles were shackled to the bed throughout my hard labor, and I was unable to readjust myself to lessen the pain. It was only when the doctor arrived, just moments before I delivered, that he ordered the shackles to be removed. At a mere 123 pounds, I gave birth to a 9 pound, 7 ounce baby son, while shackled to my bed for most of the labor. My experience was horrible and continues to haunt me. Six years ago, I filed a lawsuit against the Arkansas Department of Corrections on the grounds that shackling is unconstitutional. The case has been long and difficult, but a year ago a federal court ruled that shackling women during labor violates their civil rights. I’ll continue to speak out so that no woman, no matter what her life circumstance, has to endure the pain and trauma I have. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has shown a desire to end the inhumane practice of shackling women giving birth, but that’s not the only issue that mothers behind bars face. Women are often denied pre-natal care and the opportunity to bond with their babies after birth and as they grow. Join me and women like me in thanking Attorney General Holder for his attention to shackling, while urging him to continue to address the needs of mothers behind bars and ensure that they have healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and opportunities to enter family-based drug treatments. Your voice will help prevent another woman from experiencing what I went through. Sincerely, Shawanna Lumsey |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P.S. Learn more about the inhumane practice of shackling women during childbirth and other important issues affecting pregnant and parenting women behind bars by downloading the new report from the National Women’s Law Center and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, Mothers Behind Bars. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Be a Seed for Change 
You must be logged in to post a comment.