Sandra Bland deserves justice, but prosecutors announced yesterday that no officers will be indicted in her death.
Bland was a 28-year-old Chicago-area native who was found dead in a Waller County jail cell last July. The Bland case gained national attention when footage of her Texas arrest was captured on video. She was stopped for allegedly failing to signal before a turn. Footage shows an officer manhandling Bland and placing his knees in her back while she cried out in pain that she was suffering from an asthma attack.
Sandra Bland Had A Right To Speak Out On Injustice
Bland, an activist, had been vocal across social media denouncing police brutality faced by people of color. Her voice spoke with urgency about the need for unity among the masses in efforts to thwart police brutality on communities of color.
Questions Remain Concerning The Death of Bland
Still unexplained is how Bland had access to a plastic bag that law enforcement claim she used to end her life. Pictures showing Bland in her cell have been scrutinized, and pictures on the Internet have been questioned. In some shots Bland appeared to be deceased in her mug shot, although the concensus is that those shots were altered. There has also been skepticism around the convenience of “non working” cameras within the jail facility.
Bland’s Mother Continues To Fight For Justice
Protests and vigils took place in support of Bland demanding justice. Geneva Reed-Veal, Bland’s mother, has been tirelessly picking up the cause at rallies and speaking engagements. Her stand and support for her daughter and the families of others who have lost children in police dealings, have been strong and unwavering.
Bernie Sanders Takes To Twitter In Support of Bland
With yesterday’s announcement came feelings of grief for many people of color. What should have been a slam dunk for fairness wound up being another face slap for those anticipating justice on Bland’s behalf. Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders took to Twitter. His tweet echoed the sentiment of many people of color who are tired of injustice. Sanders’ statement that Bland would have never been arrested and that she would be alive today if she had been white, speaks volumes.
Statement on grand jury decision in Sandra Bland case: pic.twitter.com/r1oFu9MHWc
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 22, 2015
Long Wait Ahead for Trial Seeking Justice for Bland
Reed-Veal filed a wrongful death lawsuit in a Houston federal court against the Texas Department of Public Safety, two jail employees and Waller County. A January 2017 trial date was set by a judge last week.
Hopefully this lawsuit will help bring a sense of justice and closure to Bland’s family, and to victims of police brutality.
