October 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality Condemns Court Ruling in Louima Case
We are outraged at the recent court ruling that freed cops involved in the torture, rape, and brutalization of Abner Louima in the 70th pct. station house. This ruling represents a slap in the face to Abner Louima, his family, the families of all police murder victims, people who deal with police brutality in their daily lives, and anyone with a sense of justice.
In the wake of September 11, the powers-that-be have shamefully manipulated people's grief and fear to push the view that cops are heroes and are above criticism. They want to rule any discussion of police brutality out of order - even as cops continue to brutalize and murder people. As our slogan at this past year's October 22 march said, "Police Brutality did not die on September 11."
In the post-September 11 climate, the powers-that-be apparently feel they have a license to exonerate cops involved in one of the most notorious police brutality cases in the nation's history. They try to tell us cops are heroes.
Millions need to ask: What kind of heroes force a broomstick up the rectum of a handcuffed man? What kind of heroes help cover up when this happens? What kind of heroes remain silent in the face of such brutality?
The powers-that-be try to tell us that the Louima case is an aberration. But the only thing unusual about this case is that some of the cops were actually convicted, and two were even jailed! Cops routinely harass, brutalize, and even murder people - and get away with it! Stolen Lives - Killed by Law Enforcement documents over 2000 cases of people killed by police and other law enforcement agents in the 1990's. Only a handful of the law enforcement agents responsible for their deaths were punished in any way. More often, they were praised and promoted. In this way, the powers-that-be give a green light to police brutality.
Abner Louima was tortured in a whole precinct full of cops, and not one intervened to stop the torture. Not one tried to help him afterward. Not one spoke out about what happened - until it had already been exposed to the public and they scrambled to save their own necks. Of the whole precinct, only seven cops were even charged in connection with the torture and rape of Abner Louima.
The only reason we got a small taste of justice in the Louima case is because of the struggle of the people. Thousands marched and protested, and millions were outraged. The families of police murder victims played an important role in exposing the truth to millions - that cops routinely beat and murder people, especially young men of color, and routinely get away with it. The powers-that-be had to do some damage control and put a few of their cops on trial.
Nicholas Heyward, Sr., father of Nicholas Heyward, Jr. who was killed at age 13 by a housing cop in 1994 says, "The parents of New York have rallied and protested this insane act of violence against Mr. Louima while fighting for justice for their own loved ones murdered at thehands of police. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. Sending the cops to jail was a victory for the parents. It's like finally we got a little justice."
The court ruling claimed that Officer Schwarz's lawyer had a conflict of interest, something that was raised before the trial by the judge and the prosecution. Schwarz insisted he wanted to keep his lawyer, then appealed based on conflict of interest. Now, he's out on bail.
Why are the courts all of a sudden concerned about defendant's rights - when those defendants are brutal racist cops?
It's called double standards.
Shaka Sankofa was executed in Texas despite clear evidence of his innocence. This outrageous legal murder was sanctioned by the courts.
Thousands of Arab, South Asian, and Muslim immigrants are being held indefinitely without any charges. The courts haven't said anything about this either.
Mumia Abu-Jamal sits on death row in Pennsylvania for a crime he did not commit. At his trial, he was prevented from serving as his own lawyer - something he had an absolute legal right to do. He had an incompetent lawyer imposed on him against his will. This alone should be grounds for reversing his conviction. Twenty years later, he still sits on death row.
The October 22 Coalition calls on families of police murder victims, communities living with police brutality 24/7, and all people who believe in justice to join together to force the system to put Schwarz back in jail. It will take thousands in the streets, outside the courthouse, and organizing in our schools, workplaces, and communities to get back even the small measure of justice that we got in the Louima case.
We can't let the powers-that-be use September 11 to silence us and hide the truth.
Jail Charles Schwarz! Jail Thomas Weise and Thomas Bruder! Jail Brutal Cops! Jail Killer Cops! Justice for Abner Louima and all victims of police brutality! Police Brutality Did Not Die on September 11!