Seven months ago, my friend, Israel Hernandez, who we called "Reefa" was killed.

Before my friend became a statistic, he was an artist.  He loved art more than life itself.  All of his friends thought that his art would one day be in galleries around the world.  It still will. But he won't be around to see it.

Israel was tased to death by Miami Beach Police Officer Jorge Mercado who, along with other officers, chased Israel several blocks after he spray-painted his name on the wall of a North Beach McDonald's that had been vacant for several months. As Israel lay dying, the officers reportedly “high-fived” one another in celebration.

Israel was unarmed, weighed 150 lbs, had no prior criminal record and posed no threat to anyone. Miami Beach Use of Force Policy also clearly says that, before using force, officers should factor in things like: 1) Seriousness of the crime committed; 2) Size, age and weight; 3) Apparent physical ability; 4) Weapons possessed by or available; and 5) Known history of violence.

Police even admitted that the crime he allegedly committed, for which he was chased down and tased, was a misdemeanor and not a felony - something that Florida’s "Justifiable Use of Force Laws" require before using force.

When Israel was first killed, rather than accepting responsibility, "anonymous sources" in the police department said that Israel died because he was on drugs.  They even said that he wasn't killed by the taser but by a condition called "excited delirium" that most researchers say doesn't exist.  On March 6, the Medical Examiner's report proved that it was the taser and not drugs or excited delirium that killed him.

 

Officer Jorge Mercado's taser killed Israel, even though neither Florida law nor Miami Beach policy gave him that right.  But Jorge Mercado has never been punished for what he did to my friend. Plus, he is still a Miami Beach police officer.   Israel could have been any of us.  That is why we are asking for your help.

I ask the State Attorney (Miami Prosecutor), Katherine Fernandez Rundle, to charge Jorge Mercado for Israel's death immediately.  We want her to investigate all accusations of police violence the same way she would investigate any other crime.  

My friend is dead and the person who killed him still has his job and his freedom.  The institutions that are supposed to protect us are failing. By signing this petition, you can keep Israel's memory alive.

#JUSTICEFORREEFA

Thanks for your help,

Vivian Azalia

 

Friends of Israel "Reefa" Hernandez

Vivian Azalia, Thiago Souza, Guillermo Andres, Alexandria Morgan,Jorge Rodriguez, Jonathan Rodrigues, Zoe Hughes, Ethan Romano, Arthur Fenley and Daniel O'Neill,