Brooklyn, NY November 21 — In the bustling center of Church Avenue, as hundreds of working-class people poured out of the subway station on their way home from work, they were greeted by a militant demonstration demanding “Justice for Kyam Livingston, killed in a Brooklyn jail cell.”
The demonstration included a broad spectrum of the working class, up to 130 people assembled in militant unity to demand justice for this kkkop murder. The group was black, Latino, Asian, white, men, women, and children to mark the fourth-month anniversary of the murder of Kyam Livingston.
Kyam was a 37-year-old black single mother and worker who was arrested and was waiting for arraignment in Brooklyn Central Booking. She was complaining of extreme stomach pain and crying out for help. The KKKops callously ignored her cries, saying, “Shut the f*** up or we’ll lose your paperwork.” Kyam died in continued agony to the horror of the other women in the holding cell.
‘You’re Not Gonna Hide This’
Kyam’s mother was the first speaker and cried for justice for her daughter. In her anguish, she proclaimed that there would be justice to the cops standing there, sending chills up the spines of the collected gathering. Her speech was a note for militancy and a promise that justice would be done for her daughter. “Your’e not gonna hide this, “ she cried.
A black working-class student spoke of the need for multiracial unity in the fight against police brutality and racism. A PLP high school teacher and a member of the Justice for Shantel Davis committee made a call to smash this racist, murderous system that will continue to kill our children. “Only we can stop it,” he said. He pointed out how the kkkops are used as a tool for the bosses to separate the working class — black from white, and men from women.
A parent from a faith-based community spoke of his concern for his black children who clearly are not safe under this system. He said, “As long as Kyam’s family needs me, I’ll be here.” A union member and fighter who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years described how the comunity should create a wall of unity so that no more murders of our children will take place. He also honored the bravery of the Livingston family, especially of Kyam’s mother. A young man of about 12 took the microphone and said that he knew Kyam. She was a good person. He misses her, and he called for “Justice for Kyam Livingston.”
‘We Want The Names. We Want The Tapes!’
The chanting was militant, vigorous and forceful, “Justice for Kyam Livingston, killed in a Brooklyn cell,” “We want the names. We want the tapes,” and “Kyam Livingston means — fight back!” “Police murders mean — fight back!” ”No justice,no peace. No racist police.”
The final speaker called for a march down Church Avenue so that the neighborhood could be as one with the march and the multi-racial nature of the marchers.
Crowds of people stopped and listened to the speeches and chants. Many made comments such as, “You got that right!” and “We’re hearing the truth here!” Kyam’s mother lives in that neighborhood and is well known and well loved. Her neighbors and friends stopped and joined the demonstration. Many people came up to her, greeted and hugged her. A young woman from a downtown Brooklyn church who participated in the demonstration said, “This is great. This is real unity.”
CHALLENGES and many leaflets were distributed.Many protesters said, “next time I’ll try to bring more of my friends.“ The next demonstraton will be on the afternoon of Saturday, December 21st. There will be no end to this struggle until we have smashed racism and capitalism.