As someone with a close family member who is a child with autism, I constantly worry about his disposition as he grows to be an adult in this racist and irrational society that employs trigger happy cops. Cynthia McKinney recently told a story at an event at Riverside Church in Newark, New Jersey about a young Native man who was carrying a hunting knife while walking (surely trying to find some basic resources for survival; wood, food, etc.) and the police stopped him ordering him to put the knife down. The young man was deaf, mute and I’m sure stunned and confused so he was unable to comply. The police shot him down in cold MURDER!
While I’m not a proponent of p0lice force, if the young man appeared to be a threat the officers should have used non-fatal tactics to remedy the situation. But no, this is what you get in America when you have melanin; shoot first and ask questions NEVER!
If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area, please support this campaign. Our jails and graves are being filled with our disabled loved ones due to ignorant cops and apathetic public policies!
Reginald “Neli” Latson was racially profiled in May 2010 and despite being frisked and found to be clean, the police action escalated and he was arrested and convicted for defending himself against them.
SHOULD NELI BE PENALIZED FOR BEING AUTISTIC?
After a full tortuous year of imprisonment, including months of stark and terrifying isolation, on May 31, 2011, the court demanded an ADDITIONAL year of his life, although they KNOW he is not a criminal! THIS NIGHTMARE MUST END!
IS PRISON THE PLACE TO TREAT AUTISM?
EACH DAY IN PRISON ROBS NELI OF HIS FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES. HE IS FEARFUL, CONFUSED, BULLIED, AND TRAUMATIZED.
GOV. MCDONNELL, PARDON NELI LATSON AND FREE HIM NOW!
PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY
AUGUST 15, 2011
12PM – 3PM
Office of the Governor, Patrick Henry Building
1111 East Broad Street – Richmond, Virginia
TAKE A STAND FOR NELI AND IN DEFENSE OF OUR CHILDREN!
Contact: A Voice for Neli, 540-425-0813, avoiceforneli@yahoo.com, www.avoiceforneli.com
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