Social Justice
Say Her Name: HBO Documentary To Explore Life and Death of Sandra Bland
A documentary film exploring the life of Sandra Bland will premiere April 25th at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
The HBO documentary film exploring the life of Sandra Bland will premiere April 25th at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
Bland was arrested after a traffic stop in July 2015 in Waller County, Texas, and died in police custody.
About the Sandra Bland HBO Documentary
“Say Her Name: The Death and Life of Sandra Bland,” an HBO Documentary Films production, follows the late activist’s family’s search for answers on why she died in a Waller County Jail.
Texas law enforcement officials said that Bland died from “self-inflicted asphyxiation,” but her family and supporters around the country suspect another explanation.
Several key pieces of evidence, most notably, dashboard camera footage that showed ex-state trooper Brian Encinia violently arresting her for a minor traffic violation,emerged in the aftermath, prompting calls for would-be-supporters to “Say Her Name.”
Besides questions and comments from Bland’s mothers and sisters, the directors intertwines Bland’s own voice into the film through her online video series, “Sandy Speaks.”
Four showings of the film are scheduled April 25 to 28 during the festival, and it is slated to debut later this year on HBO.
Trailer
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Social Justice
US Airman Roger Fortson, killed by deputy in his own home, honored at funeral
Family and friends of Senior Airman Roger Fortson along with dozens of Air Force members came together at an Atlanta church Friday to honor the serviceman, who was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy on May 3.
Family and friends of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, along with dozens of Air Force members, came together Friday to honor the serviceman, who was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy on May 3.
Roger Fortson celebration of life
Fortson, 23, was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when he was shot six times by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy, according to law enforcement authorities.
At Friday’s celebration of life at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Fortson was laid out wearing his Air Force uniform and his coffin was draped with the American flag.
After the service, airmen saluted as Fortson’s casket was carried to a beautiful horse carriage and led away from the church.
Wonderful human being
At the funeral, speakers spoke about how Fortson transformed himself from a fun-loving teenager into a young man with a sense of purpose.
“He was one of our gifted students,” said Fortson’s former principal, Loukisha Walker, of Ronald E. McNair High School.
Fortson was “a man of honor, a man of integrity, a man of courage,” said Col. Patrick Dierig, commander of the First Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., speaking at the funeral.
Tragic incident
On May 3, police responded to a call of a disturbance around 4:30 p.m., according to a released statement from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Fortson was shot six times by the deputy
Sheriff Eric Aden of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office played the body camera footage of the deputy who shot Fortson in a press conference last week.
In the video, the deputy can be heard announcing twice that he is with the sheriff’s office. Fortson allegedly opens the door for the deputy with what appears to be a gun in his hand. The officer shot Fortson six times within seconds of the door opening. Fortson later succumbed to his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Hearing sounds of a disturbance, he reacted in self-defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun,” according to a sheriff’s office statement. “This was after the deputy had identified himself as law enforcement.”
The deputy involved has been put on administrative leave.
There is an ongoing investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the state attorney’s office, according to the sheriff’s office.
Watch US Airman Roger Fortson’s celebration of life
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Social Justice
San Francisco man victim of two hate crime incidents
San Francisco’s Harvey ‘Terry’ Williams was a victim of not one, but two hate crimes and has launched a GoFundMe to protect his family.
San Francisco’s Harvey ‘Terry’ Williams was a victim of not one, but two hate crimes.
San Francisco hate crime
On the morning of April 26th, he was delivered a package containing a black doll with a noose wrapped around its neck, with his name and a picture of his face. The doll, along with the other contents of the package, were covered in horrifying racial phrases and slurs.
A week later, he received a second racist package containing similar items, but this time the threats were escalated.
San Francisco police say they’re investigating both incidents.
Neighbors have rallied behind Williams, helping him build a network of security cameras to help keep a closer eye on their area.
GoFundMe
A GoFundMe was launched to help pay for security cameras, help Terry relocate until the police know more, and help take some financial pressure off the family during a very difficult and scary time.
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Social Justice
Family of Black teen shot in head after ringing doorbell of wrong home sues gunman and HOA
The family of the Ralph Yarl, the Black teenager who was shot in the head after ringing the doorbell of the wrong home in Kansas City, Missouri, last year, has filed a lawsuit against the White man who shot him and the residential homeowners association where the house is located.
The family of Ralph Yarl has filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew Lester, the 85-year-old white man who shot the teen last year on his doorstep, along with Lester’s homeowners association.
Ralph Yarl family sues
The lawsuit, filed by Yarl’s mother Cleo Nagbe in the circuit court of Clay County, Missouri, accuses Lester and the Highland Acres Homes Association, Inc. of “careless and negligent conduct.”
“At all times relevant, Plaintiff (Ralph Yarl) never posed or issued a threat to Defendant, Andrew Lester,” the lawsuit states, adding the Highland Acres Homes Association “was aware of or should have been aware of Defendant, Andrew Lester’s, propensity for violence, access to dangerous weapons and racial animus.”
Yarl’s mother said in a news release that the case is not just about seeking justice for her son. By including the Highland Acres Homes Association, Inc., Nagbe said the lawsuit “underscores the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding our communities.”
“Their knowledge of a potentially dangerous individual in the neighborhood without taking adequate precautions is unacceptable,” Nagbe wrote. “This case is not just about seeking justice for Ralph but about advocating for systemic changes that prioritize the safety and well-being of all children.”
Nagbe said she also hopes the civil suit will create a conversation about the “importance of responsible gun ownership and community safety measures of using words, not weapons.”
Suspect
Lester has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
He was released on $200,000 bond and his trial is set to begin October 7.
Ralph Yarl shooting incident
On April 13, 2023, Ralph Yarl, now 17, went to the wrong home while trying to pick up his younger siblings. After ringing the doorbell, Ralph was shot in the head and arm.
Lester was detained the night of the shooting but released two hours later. After a public outcry, he was arrested and charged nearly a week later.
The 85-year-old claims he was scared to death of the boy’s size. Meanwhile, Yarl is 5ft8in and 140 pounds.
Yarl survived the shooting with serious injuries. Those close to the family said he had a prognosis of a full recovery, but may possibly suffer long-term brain issues.
According to the civil lawsuit, the teenager “suffered and sustained permanent injuries, endured pain and suffering of a temporary and permanent nature, experienced disability and losses of normal life activities, was obligated to spend large sums of money for medical and attention and suffered other losses and damages.”
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
News3 weeks ago
5-year-old helps save his family from house fire
-
Crime & Justice4 weeks ago
Honor student killed by stray bullet while visiting Delaware State University
-
Crime & Justice3 weeks ago
Paramedic involved in Elijah McClain’s death sentenced to probation, work release and community service
-
Sports3 weeks ago
Gymnast Morgan Price becomes the first HBCU athlete to win national collegiate title
-
Social Justice4 weeks ago
Former high school athletic director arrested and charged with using AI to frame principal
-
Social Justice2 weeks ago
Family of Black teen shot in head after ringing doorbell of wrong home sues gunman and HOA
-
LGBTQ1 week ago
Creating a safe space for Black LGBTQ+ joy
-
Social Justice1 week ago
San Francisco man victim of two hate crime incidents