On July 12, 2013, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs released the report Racial Disparities in Arrests in the District of Columbia, 2009-2011. The following are a few of the reports insights:
Nearly seven out of ten traffic arrests were of African Americans Eight out of ten individuals arrested for disorderly conduct were African American or Hispanic Although there is little disparity in drug use between DC’s African-American and caucasian residents, nine out of ten individuals arrested for drug offenses are African American. More than eight out of 10 arrests in our city were of African Americans.
In short, we might not have a stand your ground law in the District of Columbia but the same racial profiling that took the life of Trayvon Martin and many, many other African American men and boys is alive and well in the District of Columbia. In light of these facts, a coalition of activists is having a press conference and teach-in that draws the connections between the fight for justice for Trayvon Martin and the need for a movement to address racial profiling in DC.
Are you still mad about Trayvon Martin? Do you want to give his death meaning and stop future extra-judicial killings? Make a start by attending this press conference.
Speak Out and Organize Against Racial Profiling in DC Wednesday July 31 @ Noon Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Speakers include:
Rev. Graylan Hagler, Plymouth Congregational
Etan Thomas, activist and former Washington Wizards player
Perry Redd, Ex-prisoner, activist, and former DC Council candidate
A representative from The Washington Lawyers Committee
Seema Sananandan, of the DC American Civil Liberties Union and author of a recent study on marijuana arrests
Andy Shallal, anti-war activist and owner of Busboys & Poets
Jamal Muhammed, host of the Luv Lounge show on WeAct Radio
Plans will be made to add an End Racial Profiling in DC component to the 50th Anniversary March on Washington. For more information please call (410) 635-0235.
