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| with Eric Garner's daughters Emerald (center) and Shardinee (right) |
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| with TV producer Saleda Bryant (left) and Valeisha Butterfield-Jones (center) |
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| with Black Girls Rock founder Beverly Bond (right) |
“I can’t breathe” (#icantbreathe) has become the rallying
cry in protests following the unjust verdict which failed to indict the white
police officer who killed Eric Garner, an African American man in Stanton
Island who was choked to death by a police officer all while Garner was alerting
the officer that he literally couldn’t breathe, which was caught on tape.
Sadly, this terrifying abuse by law enforcement is not an isolated incident. There
is a long history and current epidemic of law enforcement exercising extremely
violent “tactics” when dealing with people of color, such as police sexual
assaulting women (Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Ken Holtzclaw is being
charged with assaulting 13 women, at least 7 of whom are African American, and
one a minor), innocent children killed in police raids (like seven year old Aiyana
Stanley-Jones), the unconstitutional and humiliating ‘Stop & Frisk’ protocol, or the brutal and often fatal beatings or gun
violence disproportionately effecting Black and Brown men (like Michael Brown
of Ferguson). The ever growing militarized police force dealing with peaceful
protesters is also a larger concern that has to be dealt with.
On Wednesday, December 10th a committee of Black
social justice leaders, artists, entertainment moguls and politicos hosted a
fundraising soiree at the Hudson Commons at the Hudson Hotel in Manhattan. The benefit raised financial support for Eric
Garner’s family, including his widow, son and two daughters, Chardonnay and
Emerald, all of who attended the event. Many gave their condolences to Garner’s
family, and they were very much showered with support and love. Their quest for
justice is also our struggle for peace. Until there is accountability and genuine
reform there will unrest in this country. There’s a tidal wave rising that has
no intention of landing until the people secure protection from corrupt law
enforcement and societal equality regardless of race, class or gender.
Russell Simmons, Beverly Bond, D.J. Mos, D.J. Kiss, Legendary
Damon, Stephen Hill, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, Bevy Smith, Estelle, Tyson
Beckford, Chef Roble Ali, Demetria Lucas and Janell Snowden were among the
event co-hosts
Other noted attendees were Essence editor-at-large Emil
Wilbekin, music mogul Kevin Lyles, TV producer Saleda, rapper Q-tip (who gave
an inspiring speech in the DJ booth), social justice advocate Michaela Angela
Davis Global Grind’s Michael Skolnik and BET correspondent Breon Robinson
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 13th, large marches
are planned in both Washington DC and in New York to draw attention of this
country’s epidemic of police violence against people of color. Eric Garner’s
family will attend the one in DC
Here is Eric Garner’s family’s IndieGoGo page so
you can donate funds to help their family: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fund-for-the-children-of-eric-garner
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| (L-R) Ashley NYC, Stephen Hill (BET executive), Tadia James, Breon Robinson (BET correspondent) |
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| with NYC fashionista Bevy Smith (co-host of Bravo's Fashion Queens_ |
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| with singer Estelle |
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| Essence editor-at-large Emil Wilbekin |
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author Demetria Lucas
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| entertainment correspondent Janell Lucas |
