2 Years Ago Today, Andrew Kearse Died In The Custody Of Schenectady NY Police Officer Mark Weekes
Today marks two years that Andrew Kearse died in the custody of the Schenectady NY Police Department. While in the back of a police cruiser his cries went unanswered as he pleaded for medical help seventy times before dying of a heart attack.
Rise and Resist has tried to bring attention to this injustice for the past couple of years.
On May 11, 2018, Rise and Resist, Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, community and friends came together to make “A Place for Justice”. Together we held a tree planting ceremony in front of the house of Angelique Negroni-Kearse to mark the anniversary of the death of her husband Andrew Kearse. “A Place for Justice” was both a vigil for Andrew Kearse, a coming together of various communities to support his family who remains in great pain, and a call for officer Weekes of the Schenectady Police Department to be brought to justice. A police utility belt was hung on the planted Weeping Cherry Tree.
In October of last year a grand jury declined to file charges against officer Weekes. However, many believe Weeks perjured himself in front of the grand jury.
Join us in demanding the Attorney General call for another grand jury.
1–800–771–7755, Facebook, Twitter
https://ag.ny.gov/contact-attorney-general-letitia-james,
Angelique has worked tirelessly to bring justice to her late husband. Last year she helped get the Andrew Kearse Act (Assembly Bill A11378A: “Imposes criminal liability for the failure to obtain medical care for a person in custody displaying medical distress.”) up for consideration in the New York State Assembly. If this bill becomes law it will hold those accountable who deny this basic human right.
The bill is currently in committee. To make this bill law we need your help. Please click on the following links and call your local assembly person. You can literally show your support on the site by clicking “AYE” and your assembly person will be notified.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/A11378
Find your assembly person’s phone number and email here
With your help we can make sure no one else has to suffer such cruel and inhumane treatment.