John,
Yet another Black survivor of domestic violence is being criminalized for saving her own life, adding to this country's shameful legacy of anti-Black misogyny.1
Tracy McCarter is a Black mother, grandmother, and trained nurse from New York who is facing criminal prosecution for the death of her estranged husband, James Murray.2
In the summer of 2019, Tracy separated from Murray, who is white, after he repeatedly struck, kicked, and choked her. During their separation his drinking worsened and his violence escalated.3 In March 2020, Murray was drunk and assaulted Tracy, which resulted in his death.4
Despite evidence of Tracy calling the police and providing medical assistance until the paramedics arrived, she was wrongfully arrested for murder.5 The 44-year old nurse was jailed on Rikers Island for seven months without an option for release during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.6
Newly elected Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, a former civil rights attorney, campaigned on the need to balance public safety and fairness. Bragg even publicly declared his support stating during his election campaign, “I #StandWithTracy. Prosecuting a domestic violence survivor who acted in self-defense is unjust." Nevertheless, DA Bragg has remained silent on the case in the months since taking office.7
District Attorney Bragg has the power to end the cycle of criminalizing survivors of domestic violence in Manhattan and ensure Tracy is free from the threat of incarceration. That’s why we’re asking you, John, to sign our petition, and help amplify our demand for District Attorney Bragg to truly #StandWithTracy by dropping all charges against her immediately.
Sign the petition to #standwithtracy
We need District Attorney Bragg to follow through in his commitments to end overzealous prosecutions and end the ordeal for Tracy.
According to Leigh Goodmark, the Director of the University of Maryland’s Gender Violence Clinic, “Black women are disproportionately represented among victims of violence who are arrested, because the system is only responsive to the perfect victim.” 8 —someone who is white, cisgender, and middle-class. And in New York, 90% of incarcerated women have been subjected to domestic violence— a pattern of power and control that limits survivors’ choices.9
But John, this is not a coincidence. The criminal legal system works this way by design to criminalize Black girls and women for using their agency to fight back and even survive.
Demand DA ALVING BRAGG DROPS ALL CHARGES AGAINST TRACY MCCARTER
In September 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office finally consented to her release on GPS monitoring by way of an electronic shackle.10 However, e-incarceration has made it impossible for Tracy to continue working as a healthcare professional, complete her advanced degree at Columbia University, seek the treatment she needs to begin her healing journey, or visit her family, including her first grandchild who was born while Tracy was incarcerated.
John, no one should be forced to bear the pain and trauma of being dragged through the criminal legal system simply for surviving.
Until justice is real,
The Criminal Justice and Democracy Team at Color Of Change
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