Contacts:
Kayla Keller, kayla@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 281.682.6212
CJ Frogozo, cj@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 310 570 2622
Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of ColorofChange.org, issued the following statement:
“The dashcam footage released yesterday clearly shows Officer Brian Encinia brutalizing and arresting Sandra Bland for no reason. To say that every step of the way he violated her rights and abused his power is an understatement.
She was ripped from her car and violently arrested, all while repeatedly asking why. Officer Encinia threatens Sandra with a taser saying, ‘I will light you up.’ It is truly horrific to watch what for many white people would have been a routine traffic stop turn into an unconscionable act of violence. This is the reality of being Black and America.
The video confirms what Sandra’s family and concerned community members have been saying for days. Trooper Encinia lied about his reason for arresting Sandra to cover this violent attack. At no point is she seen ‘kicking’ or resisting Officer Encinia he alleges.
There is absolutely no excuse to justify this type of police misconduct. If Texas Officials have any respect for the law they will fire Officer Encinia immediately and remove his license to ensure he never serves on a police force again.
Sandra represents millions of Black people across the country and hundreds of thousands in Texas. This video reaffirms the urgency of a thorough investigation by the DOJ into Sandra’s death and the policies and practices of state and local officials responsible for her unjust arrest and deadly incarceration. More than 100,000 ColorOfChange members and their allies are calling on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to take definitive action immediately.
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With more than 1 million members, ColorOfChange is the nation’s largest online civil rights organization