U.S : VEGAS cops put gun to Michael BENNETT's head.

Patrice Cullors-Brignac just started a petition to the  Las Vegas Police Department demanding that they : Release the names of officers that assaulted NFL  player Michael Bennett. Sign Now! →

Dear friend, Patrisse Cullors-Brignac of Black Lives Matter Global Network just started a petition titled :  "Tell Vegas Police Department: Release names of officers that assaulted NFL player Michael Bennett." Here's why this is important : Police brutalizing Black people is endemic in the United States.  Last Saturday police terrorized 6'4 ft, 274 lbs NFL star Michael  Bennett “for walking while Black”. This latest incident stands  as a testament to the police violence targeting Black people in  the United States.1 As a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Network, I receive countless  calls from victims and families of police violence. We’ve worked  relentlessly to provide folks with emotional support and connect  them to policy advocates and lawyers. Yet, often our efforts to hold  police accountable are prevented by the state’s lack of transparency.  But for Michael’s case, transparency is the first step in the fight for  justice. Dear friend, Tell Vegas Police Department to release video  footage and names of officers that assaulted NFL player Michael  Bennett. Last Saturday, I received an urgent call from Michael Bennett  immediately after he was assaulted by police officers in Las Vegas.  Michael was leaving the Mayweather-McGregor fight and walking  back to his hotel when reported shots fired. He ran for cover and  continued walking once he believed he was safe. Unexpectedly,  Michael was ordered to lay on the ground by an officer who  then held a gun to his head yelling, "Don't move or I will blow  your fucking head off !" Officers then tossed Michael into a squad  car, only to later release him once he was identified as a famous  NFL star. Immediately fearing retaliation for their use of excessive  force, the officers lied and told Michael they assaulted him for his  own protection. Black Lives Matter requested the names of the cops that brutalized  Michael--information that is crucial to gaining police accountability  and identifying misconduct within the force. However, the Las Vegas  Police Department refuses to release the identity of the officers.  This comes as no surprise since the department has an extensive  history of terrorizing and murdering Black people.2   Just four months ago, unarmed Tashii Brown was murdered after  asking two Las Vegas cops where he could buy water. One officer  simply answered the question, but his colleague, former Officer  Kenneth Lopera grew suspicious. As Tashii was leaving where the  officers were standing, Lopera--in a paranoid frenzy--ran after him  and began repeatedly electrocuting the 40-year-old with a stun gun.  Caught on video, Lopera proceeded to kill Tashii, who was not  resisting, using an illegal chokehold. Although charges were pressed  against Lopera, it was the first time in over 30-years that police  brutality charges were brought against an officer in Las Vegas.3  Let’s secure the information in Michael’s case to bring about  justice ! Ed Police accountability starts with transparency! Tell Vegas  PD: Release footage and Michael's assaulters' names NOW! Releasing footage of Michael's encounter with Las Vegas officers  as well as the names is the only pathway for accountability and  toward denouncing police terrorism against Black people and communities.  Michael walked away able-bodied and alive from  the brutality he endured on Saturday, but as reality proves,  this is not always the case. Will you fight with me to gain justice for NFL player Michael  Bennett? Sincerely,  Patrisse Cullors,  Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Global Network Sign Now! →

---

Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.