Bernie Sanders becomes the first candidate to speak out on Sandra Bland: “We need real police reform

[Le Taz Hot]

Source: Salon

Bernie Sanders released a forceful statement blasting the conduct of Sandra Bland’s arresting officer as “police abuse” and calling for “real police reform.” So far, Sanders is the only presidential candidate to speak publicly about the death of Bland while in police custody.



The arrest and subsequent death of the 28-year-old African American woman in a small Texas town set-off a national outcry last week after local officials ruled her death in a jell cell a suicide. Witness cell phone footage later released revealed Bland yelling during the arrest that the officer had slammed her head on the ground. Authorities said she hung herself with a plastic bag in a jail cell three days later on July 13.

Following Sanders’ tense confrontation with #BlackLivesMatters activists at the progressive Netroots Nation conference in Phoenix on Saturday, the independent Vermont senator added a passage to his stump speech in Houston on Sunday referencing Bland’s death, a reference the Texas Tribune said drew the longest and loudest applause from the crowd. “It is unacceptable that police officers beat up people or kill people,” Sanders told the audience in Houston. “If they do that, they have got to be held accountable.”

After dashcam video of Bland’s arrest was released last night showing the officer, who had pulled Bland over for what he described as failing to signal a turn, open Bland’s driver side door and threaten to “light her up” with his taser if she didn’t stop smoking a cigarette and exit the vehicle, Sanders was quick to release a statement Tuesday condemning the arrest:

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(Thank you, WillieT for the link.)

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/22/bernie_sanders_becomes_the_first_candidate_to_speak_out_on_sandra_bland_we_need_real_police_reform/

[7962]

1. Bernie doesnt seem to care to wait on a focus group to tell him what to say.

What a change.

[Blue_Adept]

19. Or for all the facts to come out either

There's a reason folks even around these parts need to dial back a bit at times.

[roguevalley]

2. don't worry. someone will stone him for it. Because, America or something.

I love this man. Just bought a t-shirt, bumper sticker and made a tiny donation. I wish I was rich. I would help him more. SIGH! Sitting here watching the speeches and rallies on Youtube is so much fun. Thank you, youtube.

[7962]

20. Yep. See just above your post!

[cantbeserious]

3. Why Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[ybbor]

9. I love your posts!

Eom

[daleanime]

4. K&R.....

[The Green Manalishi]

5. The thing about Bernie is that

When he addresses something like this, it rings true.

Not focus group tested, not even 'pandering' to any constituency; it's what he thinks.

Just watch, after his rather lame response to the BLM/NN event people are going to be surprised that the old white Jewish guy from a really white state will adapt, learn and 'get it' for real. Hey, he's adapting to a new constituency, the police brutalization of PoC isn't something he's had to address as a Vermont Senator, he's doing better a few months into a national campaign than most people who have been after national office for years or decades have done.


I mean I think *MOST* of us white folks are just starting to 'get it' - economic fairness is the long term solution, but long term solutions don't mean shit if you're worried about not MAKING it to the long term. It's only been since the ubiquity of video that even most genuine progressives have realized how bad it is.

Anyone who isn't pissed off over the thuggish murder of Ms. Bland is PART of the problem. Yes, I am using the word 'thug' to refer to that cop, it is the PERFECT word, jack booted fascist thug, it's too good a word with it's heavy evil connotations to let the cons appropriate it for their frustrated inability to use the 'N' word', a thug is one who revels in their physical intimidation, domination and ability to inflict injury on another, and that is what we see.

I'm as white and middle class as any American can be, hell, outside of musicians I play with I know very few PoC since my Latin band broke up, but if someone isn't down with Black Lives Matter and doesn't understand * WHY* they are pissed off, they are part of the problem.

[GoneFishin]

10. Thug is indeed the perfect word to describe these cops.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Le Taz Hot.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Incredibly true.

Psychology tests would help remove the racists in the ranks. Another change would involve severing their reliance on the status quo. We really don't need good ole boy police chiefs who jump every time one of the boss hogs in the community need a guard dog to intimidate people who are on to them.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

17. I would have them go under sodium pentathol - find out their REAL personalities.

[7962]

21. I'd like to see the same for politicians!

[spyker29]

8. BLM proetstors seem to have had a positive affect on his campaign.

[Maedhros]

22. Agreed. They did their job - they brought their issues to the front.

Bernie should get credit for listening and taking their message to heart.

[damnedifIknow]

11. We need this man

“It is unacceptable that police officers beat up people or kill people,” Sanders told the audience in Houston. “If they do that, they have got to be held accountable.”

[lonestarnot]

12. Yes. Unacceptable. Fuckwad cop.

[Thespian2]

13. I am a white southerner.

I supported integration when my university (Georgia State) stopped segregation...As an Assistant Dean, I spent lots of hours working on these problems. I walked in MLK's funeral procession in Atlanta...I had to learn how to have black friends when I was old enough to get away from my family...my friend was a very intelligent man who held a Master's degree...he worked as a butler for one of Marietta's muckily-mucks. He is black.

Compared to Bernie, my contribution has been quite small.

Bernie Sanders walked, talked, worked, sweated in cilvil rights movements...He has never wavered. I was not surprised when he said Americans must find ways to control police departments...I have no doubt that he will continue to work tirelessly, in all important areas for the 99%...

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. Good for Bernie.

[riversedge]

15. Good for you Bernie. I hope you and all Dem candidates

continue to speak out.

[Indepatriot]

16. Can we even go a week without the fucking cops

MURDERING SOMEONE?

[TBF]

18. I was just told in another thread that if people

would just put out their cigarettes when ordered to then they would not be dead.

Fucking fascists.