police violence

Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of one of our neighbors, Michael Conlon. And we are furious that the police -- who are supposedly responsible for our safety -- are culpable. When shooting beanbag rounds from shotguns and using taser guns are considered “de-escalation,” when someone who has retreated to their home is considered an imminent threat, and when the death of our neighbor is overshadowed by concern for the emotional damage to the officers who killed him, we know that Newton--like the rest of the country--needs radical change.  We believe it is important to emphasize that many Newtonians are likely to feel less safe because of the actions of the Newton police -- not more safe. We are less likely to call 911 for help should we or our loved ones experience a mental health emergency since they may be killed by police. Our neighbor’s death is an example of how an over-reliance on policing exacerbates harm. With full funding for mental health care, we could have lessened the likelihood of this mental health crisis happening in the first place. With greater access to trained professionals (as opposed to relying on armed police as first responders), we could have increased the likelihood of a nonviolent de-escalation. For these reasons, we demand the following from our city leaders: The City of Newton must not rely solely on a District Attorney-led and police-led investigation of what happened on January 5th, but conduct their own independent investigation. We demand the release of all evidence to the public. We demand the investigation to be swift and transparent and go beyond individual accountability to consider shortcomings in the system overall. We demand that police contracts be renegotiated to enable accountability. The City of Newton must immediately withdraw police officers as the first responders to mental health crises as well as other situations (e.g., domestic violence, drug addiction, homelessness) that are not their job. Instead, we must establish a broader network of first responders with expertise in the wide range of issues that are called into 911. The City of Newton must ensure full funding for mental health services (preventative, crisis response, and follow up support) within the Department of Health and Human Services and relevant community organizations. Mental health services should not be based in the police department. The City of Newton must reallocate resources from the police department to help realize Newtonians’ human rights to housing, good jobs, healthcare, and food among other rights. Realizing rights is the best way to prevent social problems like mental illness that often lead to the involvement of police. Use our Action Guide to Contact Mayor Fuller and the Newton City Council directly: tinyurl.com/NewtonEndMentalHealthPolicing Read our full statement and demands: “Outrage at the Killing of Our Newton Neighbor at the Hands of Police” Read and listen to the Jan 6th update from the Middlesex District Attorney's Office: “Man Identified in Fatal Shooting [By Officers] in Newton: 911 Call, Radio Transmission Released” [Trigger Warning- the 911 call contains a recording of Michael Conlon in the middle of a mental health crisis]

Our son and brother, Juston Root was killed by 6 officers who shot 31 bullets as he lay on the ground, in a semi-comatose condition with nothing in his hands!  He posed no threat to those around him. No one has been held accountable for his death. Please help us by signing this petition.  Our family is still grieving, but that won’t stop us from fighting for justice for Juston – and to make sure no other family has to face this kind of tragedy.  Will you help us? Add your name to tell lawmakers that there must be an independent investigation into his killing. On Feb. 7th, 2020, Juston was in a mental health crisis, on his way to his counselor at Mass Mental Health Center in Boston.  Juston had an oversized clear plastic paintball gun in his waist.  The Boston Police were called with a report of a person with a gun.  When officers arrived, one of them used deadly force immediately, injuring Juston.  Juston limped to his car, one of his legs was bleeding badly, he got in his car and drove away slowly. The Boston Police ensued a car chase, and minutes later Juston's car crashed, he staggered out, and dropped to the ground, covered in blood. A former EMT passerby ran to him to give him aid, because he was on the ground in a semi-conscious condition. Moments later, the Police arrived, yelling at the former EMT to get away from Juston. One officer kicked Juston, and then all six officers shot 31 bullets from close range, killing Juston instantly.  He posed no conceivable threat to the officers or the public and had no weapon in his hands.  The Norfolk DA exonerated these officers after just one month. Critical evidence and important witness statements were left out of the final report, including the former EMT who was there shortly before Juston was killed. The police have not released any footage of the actual shooting. The report says only one officer had a body camera on and filming, but their arm obstructed the lens when officers fired. The report is wholly inadequate and far from transparent. We, the Root family and the public, demand a timely, thorough, transparent independent investigation into Juston's killing by an impartial investigator with no ties to the police!  We call upon Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey to appoint an independent investigator immediately. Thank you for your support! Visit for more about information: www.JustonRoot.com Follow Juston's story on Twitter:  @JustonRoot 

The three Aurora police officers who were fired for mocking Elijah McClain’s death in a smiling chokehold selfie near the site where he was attacked by police, are trying to get their jobs back.  These three officers will go in front of the Aurora Civil Service Commission to appeal their terminations and ask to be reinstated. The sheer lack of respect for human life makes them a danger to the public and they should not be police officers.  23-year-old Elijah McClain died on Aug. 27, 2019 – five days after being placed in a chokehold and injected with ketamine in a confrontation with police officers. He was detained after a report of a “suspicious person” in the area, but had committed no crime and was walking back home from buying an iced tea.  Just two months after he died, Erica Marrero, Kyle Dittrich, and a third Aurora police officer took a photograph at a memorial to McClain near the site where he had been detained, smiling broadly and reenacting a chokehold. Jason Rosenblatt, who was present on the night of McClain’s encounter with police, responded in a text to the photo, “haha”.  These are supposed to be those that “serve and protect” the most diverse community in Colorado. Random acts of violence know no affiliation. Regardless of the aisle, you sit on, we can all agree that a man walking home from the gas station shouldn’t be subject to murder and after not committing any crime.  Elijah McClain was a son, a brother, a friend, and a light in our community. Many of us are still grieving, but we always put in the work. I’m asking everyone else to participate in the change that needs to happen. That young man was a majestic unicorn in the valleys.  If these officers are reinstated it will let the world know that Aurora, CO does not want justice to be served for the death of Elijah McClain. Aurora Police Department will be letting down Elijah McClain's family, his friends, and all those who stood up with love and support.  Unlawful force by police can also violate the right to be free from discrimination, the right to liberty and security, and the right to equal protection under the law. Therefore, we the people are saying, NOT to reinstate these officers. Darlene Jones and April Young  

James Freeman is a journalist who puts his safety and freedom on the line to keep the police honest. He travels the country to document the behavior of police and other public servants who make their living on your tax dollars. He has been recording and broadcasting his work for years on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7vSikMWThKp3Zhc2PdAmg/ In the course of his work defending the rights of all Americans, he was recently assaulted by the Arizona State Police, and they are attempting to conceal the identity of the officer who committed this heinous attack. We are calling on the Pima County Attorney to charge and prosecute this violent criminal masquerading as a public servant. Evidence of the assault can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbY0RAiMoOw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TofH5t2BqSE This cannot stand in America. Our freedoms and safety are under assault by the growing impunity of these people who are sworn to protect and serve, and it is people like James who stand as the bulwark against this encroachment. Now he has been made victim of their violence, and those who would use their badge to act as bully and violent criminal need to be brought to justice. In addition to signing this petition, the Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall can be reached at (520) 740-5600.