Brooklyn, January 21 — Over 50 workers and youth from all over New York City gathered at Flatbush Reformed Church in the middle of a snowstorm in remembrance of Kyam Livingston, a 37-year-old mom who died while in police custody this past July. It was the six-month anniversary of her death. Kyam’s sister and mother demanded justice and accountability not only on the part of the NYPD but also from local elected officials who have yet to respond to the family’s concerns thus far.
Members of the Justice for Kyam Committee and PLP gave details about the case and explained that Kyam’s death was not caused by some unusual treatment in Brooklyn’s Central Booking holding cells. Her death was caused by systemic racist abuse which is part of the capitalist legal system.
A speaker corrected some of the false information spread by the “shack” (the press room at One Police Plaza) about Kyam’s case, making it clear to all present that Kyam died due to NYPD racist medical neglect in Brooklyn Central Bookings, and not en route to any hospital or other medical facility as police maintain.
Several members of the Brooklyn community came forward to tell their stories of mass incarceration, NYPD misconduct, and inhumane treatment at Central Bookings. One man told the community that he witnessed medical attention being denied to a teenager who had been shot, and was left to lay bleeding in the holding cell. Another woman discussed being thrown in the back of an unmarked van by plainclothes officers who did not identify themselves as police, and then having her life verbally threatened by her arresting officer while she was being led to her cell in Brooklyn Central Bookings.
Community fighters asked many pertinent questions about where the movement to end police violence should go from here, how to streamline organizing tactics across communities, and what everyday people could do to help Kyam’s family in its struggle for justice. The Justice for Kyam organizing committee had a list of many ways people could be engaged in this cause.
First, coming out to events and demonstrations on the 21st of each month would show the establishment that this is a broad-based movement with many supporters and strengthen the family’s resolve to keep fighting.
Second, signing the petition either in written form or online at www.causes.com/justice-for-kyam would be helpful in showing key elected officials that there is significant community support for this cause, and they can not walk away from the issue unnoticed.
Third, having your civic group, union, church or other organization to sponsor a forum to educate the public on Kyam’s case and the many issues it raises would be a good way to help build the movement.
And finally, but more importantly, writing down your own experience of conditions and other you’ve witnessed in Central Booking (if you have such a story to tell) and sending it via email to
Sending in your story would also make it possible for the organizers to put together a report to be sent to those government agencies and officials who are empowered to investigate and improve conditions in NYPD holding cells and bookings centers.
The family will be rallying outside of Brooklyn Central Bookings, 120 Schermerhorn Street between Smith Street and Boerum Place, at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014. And, popular demand, a second Speakout is being organized for March 21. So if you missed the first one, you are encouraged to come to a second installment of what proved to be an informative, emotionally charged and impactful community event.
Lastly, join the fight against capitalism, the internal cause of racist killings, with Progressive Labor Party.
