Je Suis Who? The Obama Administration’s Selective Grief and Mourning
by BAR editor and columnist Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo
“Our challenge is to continue the mobilization, demonstrations and protests against cops who murder Black boys, men and, increasingly, young black women.”
When will President Obama or AG Eric Holder say:
Je Suis Emmanuel Okutuga!
Je Suis Tanisha Anderson!
Je Suis Matthew Ajibade!
On January 7 2015, masked gunmen entered the offices of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo and murdered 12 people. The next day, a French policewoman was gunned down. On the third day, four hostages were killed at a Kosher grocery store. In total 17 people were killed in Paris and surrounding areas in 3 days. The entire world was sent into grieving. President Obama, using the power of his pen, condemned the murders in powerful and threatening language:
“I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time. …We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.”
The Attorney General Eric Holder offered similar condemnation and ended his statement with the affirmation: Je Suis Charlie (I am Charlie.) No question, the murders in Paris were horrific. But many in the Black community are wondering when will politicians like President Obama or Attorney General Eric Holder condemn the murders of unarmed black boys, men and women with the same level of intensity and clamor that we have seen in Paris – followed by indictments of killer cops.
At the same time that the world was mourning the deaths of 17 people in Paris, the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram reportedly killed over innocent 2,000 people. President Obama did not send an emissary to the Nigerian capitol of Abuja or appear at a press conference to denounce these dastardly murders. When Michael Brown was murdered in the street it took weeks, demonstrations around the country and international outrage before Attorney General Holder was grudgingly dispatched to Ferguson, Missouri. Not even the death of 12 year old Tamir Rice, frolicking in his neighborhood playground, moved the black misleadership class to condemn killer cops and provide federal protection for black communities under occupation by police who kill with impunity. For African-Americans, it is unlikely that we will hear the black misleadership class publicly say: Je Seis Michael Brown (I am Michael Brown) or Je Seis Tamir Rice. Our challenge is to continue the mobilization, demonstrations and protests against cops who murder Black boys, men and, increasingly, young black women.
“President Obama did not send an emissary to the Nigerian capitol or appear at a press conference to denounce these dastardly murders.”
On January 10, 2015, the Hands Up Coalition in partnership with the organization, Witness Against Torture honored three unarmed African-American youth killed by police by protesting in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ.) The demonstration also highlighted the treatment of Muslim men imprisoned at Guantanamo.
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Coffins were placed at the doorsteps of DOJ to symbolize the deaths of unarmed black youth. In particular, we honored Emmanuel Okutuga, Matthew Ajibade and Tanisha Anderson.
Emmanuel Okutuga, 27 was killed on February 19, 2011 by Montgomery County police officer Christopher Jordan in Silver Spring, Maryland. Emmanuel was a student at Bowie State University. Officer Jordan offered the now familiar refrain of fearing for his life as justification for using lethal force against Emmanuel. A videotape from a local store that could have provided evidence in this case was “accidentally” erased and later the murder was determined, by the court, to be justifiable homicide. (Please see the youtube ‘Justice for Emmanuel to learn how you can support Emmanuel’s family in their quest for justice.)
While most Americans observed the year-end holiday season, the slave patrol/police force did not. Matthew Ajibade died in solitary confinement in a Savannah, Georgia police cell on New Years Day. Matthew suffered from bipolar mental health problems. According to reports, his girlfriend called the police after a dispute and asked for assistance to take Matthew to the hospital. She handed the officers a “bottle of prescription pills when they arrested Ajibade.” However, instead of taking Matthew to the hospital, as requested, the police
instead took him to the Chatham County Detention Center. A youtube of the incident outside the Detention Center clearly shows a scuffle. Ajibade family attorney Mark O’Mara (attorney for George Zimmerman) questioned: “Unfortunately this turned from helping, to an arrest pretty quickly and we want to know why. We want to know why the family’s request that he be brought to the hospital – which seemed to be reasonable – were not heeded.” Ajibade was placed in restraint and when the officer reportedly “checked” on Ajibade he was found dead in police custody.
“The DOJ and other government agencies will only act if our community continues to place demands upon those in power.”
On January 2, Tanisha Anderson’s 37 murder was ruled a homicide. Tanisha, suffering from schizophrenia, was killed by police in Cleveland, Ohio. Police said that the family had agreed to allow them to take Tanisha to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and that they had to restrain her.
The family of Tanisha Anderson has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Cleveland Police Department. The suit claims that Cleveland Police used excessive force, leading to death while she was having a mental health episode. The suit claims that “police handcuffed and slammed her (Anderson) to the ground…the officers…pushed on her and then clammed her to the ground and put pressure on her back while handcuffing her…. A report by NewsNet5 reveals: “As a result, Tanisha lost consciousness and stopped breathing. The officers unduly delayed calling for medical assistance and did not provide any medical care themselves.”
According to the Northeast Ohio Media Group, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office found that Anderson died “as a result of being physically restrained in a prone position by Cleveland police," and determined heart disease and mental illness were contributing factors in Anderson's death.
The Department of Justice must act now to avoid the predictable deaths of unarmed African-Americans by police every 28 hours. However, the DOJ and other government agencies will only act if our community continues to place demands upon those in power. The Hands Up Coalition-DC will continue to demonstrate in front of the Department of Justice to bring attention to and demand the following:
- According to the Supreme Court: “[to] act willfully...[is to] act in open defiance or reckless disregard of a constitutional requirement…” of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force. Travon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and countless others deserved those same protections. Attorney General Holder—with existing court precedents—could bring charges against the officers in these cases—today.
- In civil rights investigations regarding the murders of unarmed black boys and men, DOJ should release it’s findings as to whether the evidence merits bringing cases to trial. AG Holder could bring charges against the officers in these cases—today.
- There is no place in domestic policing for the militarization of police forces nationwide. AG Holder could withdraw all funding for militarization of police—today.
- There is widespread misuse of the Grand Jury process in cases involving police killing of blacks. Robert McCullough's handling of the Michael Brown Grand Jury is a perfect example. McCullough is under investigation for ethics violations and a Michael Brown grand juror has sued to be relieved of a gag order. AG Holder could reopen that case—today.
We must continue to demand that the US government uphold its constitutional obligations to protect unarmed civilians against a militarized, racist and lethal police force.
Je Suis Michael Brown!
Je Suis Tamir Rice!
Je Suis Tanisha Anderson!
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo is the author of No FEAR: A Whistleblowers Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA, that is available through amazon.com. Dr. Coleman-Adebayo worked at the EPA for 18 years and blew the whistle on a US multinational corporation that endangered vanadium mine workers. Marsha's successful lawsuit led to the introduction and passage of the first civil rights and whistleblower law of the 21st century: the Notification of Federal Employees Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act). She is Director of Transparency and Accountability for the Green Shadow Cabinet, serves on the Advisory Board of ExposeFacts.com., and coordinates the DC-based Hands-Up Coalition (www.handsupcoalitiondc.com) Contact Marsha at: MarshaCAdebayo@blackagendareport.com and www.marshacoleman-adebayo.com
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