In case you missed it, last week MomsRising joined with BLM Grassroots to
demand justice for Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old Black child who was
experiencing severe distress due to his autism. When Ryan’s family called
for help, instead of receiving care and support, the police shot and
killed their loved one. 

Any death of a child is devastating. And, when it is due to police
violence, it is particularly devastating. Police violence makes our
communities less safe. We need systems of support and care, especially for
children and adults with disabilities.

Ryan deserved every chance to live.

[ [link removed] ]Join MomsRising as we call for the termination of the officers
involved. We also join [ [link removed] ]BLM Grassroots in demanding the San Bernardino
County Sheriff's Department:

* Release all information and video footage connected to this
investigation,
* Release the names of the deputies involved, and,
* File charges against them.

More details are below.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
Date: Mar 18, 2024
From: Beatriz, MomsRising.org ([email protected])
To: Friend
Subject: QUICK SIGNATURE: Justice For Ryan Gainer

 


Demand Justice For Ryan Gainer
[ [link removed] ]Take Action Now
[ [link removed] ]TAKE ACTION

Dear Friend, 

Ryan Gainer was only 15. He is described by loved ones as a cross-country
running enthusiast who hoped to study engineering. Earlier this week, on
March 9, Ryan was tragically taken from his family when he was senselessly
murdered by a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy.

Before Ryan's life was taken, he was in distress due to his autism.
However, when sheriff's deputies arrived, instead of providing care or
support to Ryan and his family, they shot and killed Ryan for holding a
gardening tool. This is yet another horrific story of a failed system
where Black children and families in need of support are instead met with
police violence.

[ [link removed] ]Demand Justice For Ryan Gainer. Click to take action NOW.

Since 2017, police have shot and killed over 120 children under the age of
18 years old. [1] And Black children are six times more likely to be shot
to death by police. [ [link removed] ] These deaths are heartbreaking, and the racial
disparities reflected in these numbers are both stark and incredibly
unacceptable.

Any death of a child is devastating but when it is due to police violence,
it leads to distrust in the system and undermines the primary mission to
protect. The pattern of striking racial and ethnic disparities only adds
to this tragedy, further oppressing and alienating communities of color. 

It’s essential to investigate, identify and correct those policies and
personnel that perpetuate and exacerbate these disparities and cause so
much harm.

[2]Ryan and his family deserve justice. Click to take action NOW.

We call for the termination of all officers involved and join BLM
Grassroots [ [link removed] ] in demanding the San Bernardino County Sheriff department
release all information connected to this investigation including the
names of the deputies involved and for charges to be filed immediately.

[3]Ryan Gainer and his family needed a different type of response. Click
to take action NOW.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people dial 911 looking for urgent
help. They call because they heard a loud noise or they have not seen an
elderly neighbor for a long time and are worried about his or her safety.
They call when a loved one is in crisis, and they have exhausted other
options. 

As we mourn yet another senseless murder of a child at the hands of those
sworn to protect them, we must remain diligent in our commitment to
radically reimagine community safety and our over reliance on law
enforcement. Reimagining public safety begins by recognizing that not
every social problem, not every call for help, is best addressed, or even
addressed at all, by sending an officer whose primary training is in the
use of force and law enforcement. Police are not one-size-fits-all social
workers.

[ [link removed] ]Ryan Deserved Better. Click to take action NOW to demand justice.

Our social safety net for those experiencing mental illness, particularly
when they are children, needs to be strengthened. And still, when that
social safety net fails – and harm is caused by those sworn to protect –
accountability is essential to meaningful change, and ensuring these harms
and tragic events don't happen to another.

Thanks for all you do.

--Beatriz, Monifa, Kelsey, Kristin, Nate, and the whole MomsRising.org &
MamásConPoder Team

P.S. [ [link removed] ]Please consider also taking action to demand that Congress pass
the People’s Response Act!

References:

[1] “[ [link removed] ]People shot to death by U.S. police 2017-2024, by age group”
[2] “[ [link removed] ]Black Children Are Six Times More Likely to Be Shot to Death by
Police”
[3] “[ [link removed] ]BLM Grassroots Demands - Instagram”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ [link removed] ]Vote     [ [link removed] ]Facebook     [ [link removed] ]Twitter     [ [link removed] ]Radio     [ [link removed] ]Donate     

[ [link removed] ]Register to vote! / [ [link removed] ]¡Regístrese para votar!

[ [link removed] ]Join our Spanish language community, MamásConPoder.org

What should MomsRising tackle next? [ [link removed] ]Tell us!




You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]