Marching for Justice for Martin Lee Anderson and Others
Concerned citizens throughout Florida will assembled in Tallahassee today to protest the not guilty verdict in the case of guards and a nurse at a Bay County (FL) boot camp in the death of Martin Lee Anderson. Students at Florida A&M University and Florida State University took to the streets in an impromptu protest after the verdict was delivered almost two weeks ago.
The Florida State Conference of the NAACP expects hundreds to participate in the march this morning. Marchers want the federal government to investigate the Martin Lee Anderson case and others. This all sounds too much like a throwback to the civil rights era we thought had passed. The Jena 6 and Mychal Bell locked up again, Genarlow Wilson still locked up in Georgia, the rape-torture of Meagan Williams, nooses hung to intimidate and even as a fashion accessory. Is this the Twilight Zone or what?
The State of Florida awarded Martin Lee Anderson's parents millions in his death. That won't bring him back and that certainly was not sufficient resolution in this case. The future Martin Lee Andersons need to be spared from such a horrendous experience. The 30 minute video of the abuse of Martin Lee Anderson is difficult to watch. Even if he was in a juvenile facility, he did not deserve to be tortured to death.
Boot camps in Florida were closed because of the Anderson incident which led to other reports of abuse. To accurately frame the situation, it must be noted that one of the guards involved was black another Asian. There have also been boot camp incidents reported to national officials regarding the torture and death of young white males.
The ethnicity and gender of teens abused in boot camps are such non-issues. They are children and should not be tortured. Discipline? Yes. Torture? No. There is a difference.
Related Links:
Martin Lee Anderson verdict sounded like Jim Crow era
Did you hear the news? The Georgia Supreme Count freed Genarlow Wilson today! He will not have to serve the remaining years of a 10-year sentence that the court sez was "cruel and unusual" punishment. Visit the Electronic Village and share your thoughts.
peace, Villager
Posted by: Villager | Friday, October 26, 2007 at 12:46 PM