Last year's events of police brutality brought more awareness to what's been happening for years. More Americans are informed about the violent acts that police direct at minorities when caught speeding or missing a stop sign. African Americans are grooming their children to know what to do in case they get pulled over by an officer, so they don’t die.
The overall awareness that lives can be lost based on your skin color in the form of a figure that is meant to protect us is terrifying. The way that these situations are handled is completely dishonorable and unjustified, and often minor cases can turn violent. Officers should be held accountable for their actions just like a person of color would be if they were in their shoes. Last year, about 990 cases of police shootings were documented. Below I will list a few cases of police brutality that have happened in the past 10 years.
The overall awareness that lives can be lost based on your skin color in the form of a figure that is meant to protect us is terrifying. The way that these situations are handled is completely dishonorable and unjustified, and often minor cases can turn violent. Officers should be held accountable for their actions just like a person of color would be if they were in their shoes. Last year, about 990 cases of police shootings were documented. Below I will list a few cases of police brutality that have happened in the past 10 years.
"Say Their Names"
Terence Crutcher
September 16, 2016 Officer Better Shelby Tulsa, Oklahoma Conviction: Not-Guilty |
Terence Crutcher was a 40 year old father of four, who had police called to the scene about an abandoned vehicle. Officer Shelby shot in self defense thinking Crutcher was reaching for something in his pocket, when he was unarmed. (Source: NY Times)
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Michael Brown, an 18 year old unarmed man, was shot on August 9th, 2014. Brown was seen stealing from the convenience store with police then being called to the scene. Officer Wilson arrived at the scene and started an altercation with Brown. Wilson fired at Brown then Brown proceeded to run away when several more shots were fired at him. (Source: NY Times)
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michael brown
August 9, 2014 Officer Darren Wilson Ferguson, Missouri Conviction: Not yet convicted $1.5 million settlement |
Akai Gurly
November 20, 2014 Officer Peter Liang Brooklyn, New York Conviction: Guilty, 15 years in prison $4.1 million settlement |
Akai Gurley was a 28 year old father to his one year old daughter until he was tragically killed. Akai was getting his hair braided by his girlfriend in their apartment building when the lights suddenly went out. Officer Liang, who was performing routine parole through the building, was going up the staircase when he was startled by Mr. Gurley and shot his 9mm glock, which ricocheted off the wall and hit Akai. (Source: BlackPast)
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On April 12, 2015, Freddie Gray was arrested after a foot chase because police thought he had a switchblade. After the arrest, police were seen dragging Freddie into a van, causing him to suffer severe spinal pain while in the van. Gray died on April 19 due to spinal injury, and six officers were prosecuted for his death. (Source: Washington Post)
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Freddie Gray
April 19, 2015 Officer William G. Portal Baltimore, Maryland Conviction: None (3 acquitted, 3 dropped) $6.4 million settlement |
Paul O'Neal
July 28, 2016 Officer Jose Diaz (2 others) Chicago, Illinois Conviction: No officer charged |
Paul O’Neal, 18, was shot in the back on July 28 following a grand theft auto case. The stolen car was driving away when two officers shot at it with Paul at the wheel. (Source: Chicago Sun Times)
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43 year old Samuel Dubose was unarmed on July 19 at 6:30pm when a University of Cincinnati officer stopped him at a traffic stop. Dubose was stopped by Tensing for not having his front license plate and was asked to show his license, which he didn’t have with him. The officer proceeded to open the car door. Samuel closed it and started to drive away when he was shot by Tensing. (Source: BlackPast)
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Samuel Dubose
July 19, 2015 Officer Ray Tensing Cincinnati, Ohio Conviction: None $4.85 million settlement |
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Kyndal Godbold-Henderson |
