A Brief History Of The Killings Of Unarmed African Americans
Some of the historical injustices on people include the killing of innocent people. It is the recent killings of unarmed African Americans that have sparked public outrage. Statistics show that young and black people are more likely by 4.5 times to die at the hands of security agents in comparison to other ages and races. Looking at historic records, these killings have been there for a while.
The deaths of Eric Garner on the month of July in 2014 at Staten Island and that of Michael Brown on the month of August the same year, are probably what brought public and media attention to the killing of young African Americans. Mr. Garner died after a police officer put him in a chokehold-prohibited by the law. As he choked, he repeated he could not breathe eleven times as life left his body. Although medical examiners ruled his death a homicide, the police officers involved were not indicted.
A month later, in August 2014, Michael Brown got shot and killed in Ferguson in unclear circumstances. He was just eighteen at the time and was shot at close range. It is not clear whether he was surrendering or advancing towards the police officers. However, it is crystal clear that the young man was not armed when he also was shot.
Although the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown were the most famous in 2014, other unarmed African American people lost their lives. In November 2014, Akai Gurley was also shot in a dark stairwell in circumstances that were not very clear. In December 2014, Ruman Robinson was found shot and killed in Arizona when police mistook a bottle of pills he carried for a gun. McKenzie Cochran of Michigan, Dante Parker of California and Jordan Baker in Houston and many others also lost their lives.
In 2013 other African Americans were killed even though they were unarmed. Miriam Carey, a 34 year old was found shot by police after a high-speed chase. She and her young daughter were not armed, but was shot at least five times and died on the spot. Jonathan Ferrell was also shot after he brutally was apprehended by the police and the office responsible was indicted for voluntary man slaughter.
Reynaldo Cuevas was found shot and killed in 2012 by a police officer. Cuevas was running away from robbers who were robbing his workplace. The District Attorney found the police officer innocent and therefore, the case did not proceed to a grand jury. Another unarmed man Tamon Robinson got shot while running towards a building after a confrontation with the police.
Other numerous cases of black people dying in the hands of security agents exist. For instance, the deaths of Danroy Henry and Derrick Jones in 2010 are still fresh in memory. Also, the death of Ramarley Graham in 2012 and that of Reginald Doucedt occurring in 2011 cannot be forgotten. Sean Bell also died in 2006 after he got shot in his car a day before his wedding. All of these people were not armed.
Price Jones was shot in his car in 2000 in a case of a mistaken identity. Amadou Diallo was shot and killed in 1999 when police mistook his wallet for a gun. These are only examples, hundreds more unarmed African Americans have lost their lives at the hands of the people supposed to protect them.
The deaths of Eric Garner on the month of July in 2014 at Staten Island and that of Michael Brown on the month of August the same year, are probably what brought public and media attention to the killing of young African Americans. Mr. Garner died after a police officer put him in a chokehold-prohibited by the law. As he choked, he repeated he could not breathe eleven times as life left his body. Although medical examiners ruled his death a homicide, the police officers involved were not indicted.
A month later, in August 2014, Michael Brown got shot and killed in Ferguson in unclear circumstances. He was just eighteen at the time and was shot at close range. It is not clear whether he was surrendering or advancing towards the police officers. However, it is crystal clear that the young man was not armed when he also was shot.
Although the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown were the most famous in 2014, other unarmed African American people lost their lives. In November 2014, Akai Gurley was also shot in a dark stairwell in circumstances that were not very clear. In December 2014, Ruman Robinson was found shot and killed in Arizona when police mistook a bottle of pills he carried for a gun. McKenzie Cochran of Michigan, Dante Parker of California and Jordan Baker in Houston and many others also lost their lives.
In 2013 other African Americans were killed even though they were unarmed. Miriam Carey, a 34 year old was found shot by police after a high-speed chase. She and her young daughter were not armed, but was shot at least five times and died on the spot. Jonathan Ferrell was also shot after he brutally was apprehended by the police and the office responsible was indicted for voluntary man slaughter.
Reynaldo Cuevas was found shot and killed in 2012 by a police officer. Cuevas was running away from robbers who were robbing his workplace. The District Attorney found the police officer innocent and therefore, the case did not proceed to a grand jury. Another unarmed man Tamon Robinson got shot while running towards a building after a confrontation with the police.
Other numerous cases of black people dying in the hands of security agents exist. For instance, the deaths of Danroy Henry and Derrick Jones in 2010 are still fresh in memory. Also, the death of Ramarley Graham in 2012 and that of Reginald Doucedt occurring in 2011 cannot be forgotten. Sean Bell also died in 2006 after he got shot in his car a day before his wedding. All of these people were not armed.
Price Jones was shot in his car in 2000 in a case of a mistaken identity. Amadou Diallo was shot and killed in 1999 when police mistook his wallet for a gun. These are only examples, hundreds more unarmed African Americans have lost their lives at the hands of the people supposed to protect them.
