Community activist Laura Stuart has joined those who are urging an investigation into the doubted suicide last week of Sandra Bland.
She was a Chicago woman arrested on July 10 by a Texas state trooper for a minor violation, failing tp signal a turn. Police say she killed herself in her cell three days later. “Her family and friends don’t believe it,” says Ms. Stuart. “Join us in demanding an independent, federal investigation to ensure justice for Sandra.”
The petitioning letter:
Dear U.S. Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch,
I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing incident of unnecessary and excessive police violence that resulted in the death of a young woman with a bright future.
Last week 28-year-old Sandra Bland was driving to her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, for a new job in student outreach. While driving, a Texas Dept. of Public Safety trooper pulled Sandra over for not using her turn signals during a lane change. What came next is all too familiar and horrifying.
The fact that a routine traffic stopped turned into such a violent arrest is a cause for concern. The incident was caught on tape and Sandra can be heard saying “You just slammed my head to the ground. Do you not even care about that?” She was then unjustly arrested for assaulting an officer, although the video clearly shows that she did not. Sandra was taken to the county jail and was dead less than 72 hours later.
Natasha McKenna. Walter Scott. Tanisha Anderson. Freddie Gray. The killing of black people must stop.
As the United States attorney general, you have the power and responsibility to ensure justice for Sandy by holding the Waller County Police Dept. and Prosecutor’s Office fully accountable.
