Tag Archives: United States Department of Justice

A shocking video released last week shows four Houston police officers mercilessly beating a 15-year old burglary suspect while at least eight other officers looked on. Some kicked him repeatedly in the head and legs, others punched his torso — all while young Chad Holley was lying face down with his hands behind his head in surrender.

The officers who beat Holley have only been charged with misdemeanors, and many of the officers on the scene that day are still working as police officers in Houston.

It’s time to demand real accountability for the Houston Police Department — and when we do, it’ll send a clear message to other departments with a similar problem. It starts with the four officers who brutalized Holley, but it can’t stop there. What happened to Chad Holley isn’t merely an isolated incident — it’s the result of a police culture in Houston (and in police departments across the nation) that places little value on Black lives.

Your voice can help change that. Please join us in calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate Chad Holley’s brutal beating, and the culture that led to it. And please ask your friends and family to do the same — it’s the first step for reform in Houston and can help shine a light on police brutality in other parts of the country:

Chad Holley ran from Houston police following a burglary — but as soon as he was captured, he immediately stretched out on the ground and put his hands behind his head. But before arresting him, a pack of officers descended on him, stomping, kicking and punching the young man until he blacked out, and leaving him with a broken nose.1,2

Despite this, the officers who beat Holley have only been charged with misdemeanors. All four were charged with “official oppression,” while two of them face an additional misdemeanor charge of violating Holley’s civil rights.3 Each charge carries a maximum of a year in prison — a light penalty for such a clear abuse of power and violation of the public’s trust.

But this is bigger than just the actions of these four officers — Houston Police Department (HPD) has a problem. Misbehavior is rampant among Houston police, with more than 14,000 complaints against HPD officers over the last six years — half of which were upheld. But the real amount of misconduct is likely to be much greater, with much of it not being investigated. Because Black residents distrust the process — and even fear retaliation due to holes in the process — many don’t ever file complaints against police officers.4,5

HPD has painted Holley’s beating as an isolated incident of misconduct, but that’s hard to believe if you watch the video of the incident. Officers attacked Holley simultaneously and without hesitation, as if this kind of violence is routine. There were no fewer than a dozen officers on the scene during the beating, yet HPD leaders didn’t learn of the assault until the security video was mailed to the chief of police and District Attorney — all the officers on the scene were silent until then, willing participants in a cover-up.

This speaks to an important reality: Chad Holley’s beating appears to be the product of a problematic culture within the Houston Police Department — one where officers don’t fear punishment, and where they stick together to hide serious incidents of misconduct. Most recently, this led Houston activist Quanell X, who released the Chad Holley tapes to the public, to announce the release of several more videos of unwarranted police violence.6

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division can help. They have the power to bring charges with penalties that accurately reflect the heinousness of the Holley incident. This is not just important for justice in Holley’s case or for reform in Houston — but for helping to send a signal to other departments across the country. The Department of Justice can also investigate the entire police force, and force changes to the culture that allowed this happen.

If there’s enough public outcry, we can push the DOJ to take a hard look at Chad Holley’s case. That’s why it’s important that as many of us speak up as possible. And after you do, please, urge your friends and family to do the same. It takes just a moment:

Thanks and Peace

— James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

February 16th, 2011

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. You can contribute here:

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rep. John Lewis Speaks Out against Voter Suppression legislation being brought to the floor of Congress – in 2012

09/13/2020 Nativegrl77

May 10, 2012 by waysandmeansdems

it is hard and difficult and almost unbelievable that any member, especially a member from the state of georgia, would come and offer such amendment. there’s a long history in our country, especially in the 11 states that are — of the old confederacy from virginia to texas, a discrim — of discrimination based on race. on color. maybe some of us need to study a little contemporary history dealing with the question of voting rights. just think, before the voting rights act of 1965, it was almost impossible for many people in the state of georgia, in alabama new york virginia, in texas, to register to vote, to participate in the democratic process. the state of mississippi, for example, had a black voting aged population of more than 450,000 and only about 16,000 were registered to vote. one county in alabama was more than 80% but not more than — but not a single registered african-american voter, people had to pass a literacy test. one man was asked to count the jelly beans in a jar. it’s shameful to come here tonight and say to the department of justice you must not use one penny, one cent, one dime, one dollar to carry out the mandate of section 5 of the voting rights act. we should be opening up the political process and letting all our citizens come in and participate. people died for the right to vote. friends of mine. colleagues of mine. speak out against this amendment. it doesn’t have a place. i yield to the chairman. this is — i agree with the chairman. this is not the place. i will not yield. i urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

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What’s life got to do with it?

11/05/2014 Nativegrl77

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The key to the survival of our species is found in the Amazon rainforest. Yet this magnificent, biodiverse environment, holding half of the remaining tropical rainforest on our planet, depends upon your commitment and action in order to survive.

Indigenous communities, rainforest stewards for uncounted generations, speak for and defend the Amazon. One out of every ten animal species lives in this region, and a full third of all plant species on the planet. We must never forget that the Amazon’s fate parallels that of the global climate, for if left intact it will stem climate chaos, helping us to avoid the tipping point of catastrophe.

For almost two decades Amazon Watch has worked tirelessly to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples. For almost two decades Amazon Watch has worked tirelessly to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples. Our work, like our supporters, grows stronger each year and together we’ve already protected millions of acres of pristine rainforest. These efforts are effective because we leverage our strengths and partnerships to strategically focus on the the most crucial areas. We can’t be everywhere and we can’t do it alone, but with your support we’ll have the resources necessary to win more important victories.

Let us show you how. Heading into the final weeks of 2014, we will bring you closer to our work and the elements of the Amazon so precious for our survival. Please make a gift today and demonstrate your commitment to the Amazon and its peoples, and to all life.

With gratitude,

Branden Barber
Engagement Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Nov. 17: UCS teams up with White House to talk climate

11/05/2014 Nativegrl77

Join a special briefing on newly proposed limits to global warming emissions.

UCS and White House Talk Climate

Join the UCS president and staff from the White House and the EPA for a special national briefing on efforts to tackle climate change and increase our country’s use of clean, renewable energy like wind and solar.

Register Today!

EVENT INVITATION
November 17: Briefing from the White House and EPA on Tackling Climate Change

The Union of Concerned Scientists is teaming with the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a special national briefing for UCS supporters about efforts to tackle climate change and increase our country’s use of clean, renewable energy like wind and solar.

Briefing from the White House and EPA on Efforts to Address Climate Change
Date: Monday, November 17
Time: 5:15 p.m. EST

UCS President Ken Kimmell and senior White House and EPA officials will discuss the EPA’s plan to limit global warming emissions from power plants, the single largest source of these emissions in the United States, and other administrative actions to address climate change.

Featured speakers include:

Ken Kimmell, president, UCS
Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, EPA
Rohan Patel, special assistant to the president and deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, White House

Please join us for this unique opportunity to hear directly from top officials about important efforts to address climate change!

Sincerely,
Angela Anderson signature
Angela Anderson
Director, Climate & Energy Program
Union of Concerned Scientists