U.S : THIS WEEK-END, WE RISE UP FOR TAMIR.

Dear friend,

Monday, November 23rd marks one year since Cleveland police killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice. It’s an incredibly difficult time — the type of anniversary no family should ever have to honor. On top of the pain and suffering of losing their loved one, Tamir’s family is yet to see even one police officer fired or charged for killing him.¹

Now it’s time to turn up the pressure. This weekend, Tamir’s family is organizing a #YearWithoutTamir weekend of action. All across the country, people are planning vigils and protests to honor his life and demand Prosecutor McGinty step aside and appoint a special prosecutor. On Monday, we’ll deliver your voice and that of 200,000 other ColorOfChange members straight to McGinty’s door.

If enough people take action this weekend, we can shine a national spotlight on Prosecutor McGinty and increase pressure on him to request a special prosecutor. Here is how you can help:

1. Plan or attend a #YearWithoutTamir event

 

2. Call Prosecutor McGinty’s office and show your support for a special prosecutor.

3. Share the image below with your friends and family

This isn’t the first time Prosecutor McGinty has denied a Black family justice and accountability. After police fatally shot Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell more than 150 times, McGinty was unable to secure a conviction.² When Cleveland police fatally shot 20-year-old Kenny Smith in the head, McGinty called the officers actions “heroic” and failed to bring criminal charges. And two weeks before police killed Tamir Rice, Cleveland officers suffocated Tanisha Anderson to death. McGinty claims he is still “investigating” Tanisha’s killing.

While McGinty has been busy playing politics with Tamir’s life, a number of other prosecutors have convicted police for similar acts of violence in a number of weeks. Baltimore Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby charged the police who killed Freddie Gray within a month, and it only took Cincinnati Prosecutor Joe Deter 11 days to indict the police who killed Sam Dubose. It's clear Prosecutor McGinty is doing everything in his power to avoid holding Tamir’s killers accountable and we can't let him get away with it. 

Thank you,

November 20th, 2015

References:

1. "Black Lives Matter Protesting Police Shooting of a Reportedly Unarmed Man in Minneapolis," Gawker 11-15-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5540?t=6&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

2. "'This Is Straight Murder': A Troubling Acquittal in Cleveland," The Atlantic 05-23-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5543?t=8&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

3. "'McGinty must reinvestigate fatal police shooting of Kenny Smith: editorial," Cleveland.com 09-17-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5544?t=10&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

4. "'Black women unnamed': how Tanisha Anderson's bad day turned into her last," Guardian 06-05-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5372?t=12&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

5. "Six Baltimore Police officers indicted in death of Freddie Gray," Baltimore Sun 05-21-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5545?t=14&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

6. "'This was murder' - UC Officer Indicted in Sam Dubose Shooting," Blue Nation Review 07-29-2015http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5546?t=16&akid=5068.1942551.rzQZVU

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