He Has A Name: Ethan Saylor

Ethan Saylor

There is STILL NO JUSTICE for Ethan Saylor who died in police custody back in January over a $12 movie ticket. Ethan, then 26 was in a movie theatre in Maryland as a paying patron. From the reports I have read he decided to stay in the "Zero Dark Thirty" theatre to see the film again, but he didn't pay for a ticket. Ethan had Down Syndrome and was seeing the movie with a care giver. The Movie Theatre manager called "security" which were off duty police officers moonlighting at the mall. They attempted to remove Ethan, verbally engaged with him and after he would not leave they threw him to the ground and handcuffed him.  According to the Frederic Country police statements they justified their actions by stating that Ethan swore at them and refused to leave. I have read conflicting reports that his caretaker was and was not present at the time. Witnesses say he cried out for his mother before he died.  Also according to witnesses in a recent article published by CNN, David M. Perry says Ethan's care taker asked the "police" to wait before handcuffing Ethan as he does not like to be touched. There was no threat of harm to the officers and Ethan also had no weapon.

At the bottom of a police pile on Ethan died of Asphyxiation and his autopsy ruled his death a HOMICIDE.

Yet no one is in custody or facing charges for this man's death. Law enforcement seems to be circling the wagons and protecting their own here with little regard for the thing they swear to stand for: JUSTICE. Reporter and truth seeker Debra Alfarone reached out to the Sheriff's department recently who still stand behind their officers. Watch her video HERE

Where is the JUSTICE? The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently conducting and investigation, who's report is not expected for a few months. The Saylor Family is looking for an independent investigation and needs the assistance of Governor Martin O'Malley.

My interest in the case has been ongoing but it was a post I read on a fellow bloggers site: Noah's Dad when I realized that this fight for justice is far from over.

Ethan with this sister Emma

The National Down Syndrome Society is attempting to work with law enforcement to train them in the proper manner to deal with people with Disabilities without the use of force. View the NDSS Plan HERE I also spoke to the NDSS VP of Advocacy & Affiliate Relations today who informed me that the NDSS will be at Maryland State House this Thursday delivering the signatures from the petition to Governor O'Malley. They are working closely on this case and with the Saylor family to ensure there is an independent investigation into Ethan's death.

 David Perry inspires further thoughts into a bigger issue that surrounds this case. This is not just about someone with Down Syndrome or a perceived disability but YOU and ME. He writes,"We are all only temporarily able-bodied. Accidents, illness, and age wait for us all. What happened to Ethan Saylor could happen to you." and he is right. This goes far beyond Down Syndrome. What if your non-verbal autistic child was in this situation? or your mother after suffering a stroke? or your hearing impaired friend? There are many instances in which this misunderstanding and miscarriage of justice could have and still could occur.

Let's put this into perspective. A human being lost their life over a $12 movie ticket! Really? How does this happen in our society and the "officers" get to go home to their families? What about the Theatre Manager who "ordered" the officers to remove Ethan? What happens to him?

I am sick to my stomach over the lack of common sense and compassion in this case. My son has Down Syndrome and I am terrified for him. 

My son Blake

It will be up to us as a human community to advocate for each other since our elected and appointed officials have turned the other cheek. I did not blog about this topic until now as it is a very emotional one for me because of my son. I now however cannot remain silent and neither should you!

Please SIGN this petition.

*For an independent investigation and further training for Law Enforcement.

A call to media: The world knows about the horrible death of Trayvon Martin. The African American community and the press ensured that his story received the coverage and support it deserved. The human community needs to do the SAME THING for Ethan Saylor.

To the Saylor Family: We will not forget Ethan and as a community we will not let this go. #JusticeForEthan

David Perry, Debra Alfarone, NDSS, Rick Smith (Noah's Dad) and the countless other bloggers, writers and media outlets; Thank you for your voices and efforts.

#JusticeForEthan

Gulabi Gang: Fierce Females in Fuschia

Women's rights and equality sadly continue to be an issue around the globe and astonishingly even in my own back yard (America) as women take to the polls in November hopefully to maintain our right to choose. Female reproduction and the GOP's effort to control it seem to always be at the forefront of the elections. A Republican group of white, "Christian", rich males attempting to use the bible to continue to suppress women and push their patriarchal agendas. OBAMA 2012! (I am LisaG and I approve this message)

But there is global hope that women can stand together to make real change and protect one another.

There is a group in India called GULABI GANG  (Gulabi = Hindi for PINK) who are committed to protecting and educating women. India historically has been a rigid and oppressive patriarchal society who's women have been abused and treated as second class citizens.  In their Fuschia Sari's the Gulabi Gang are right fighters in Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. They are a rural "Justice League" wielding a bamboo stick and loads of passion for protesting child marriages, protecting the victims of abuse, teaching women to read and MORE.

Their Website Explains: "The Gulabi Gang is an extraordinary women’s movement formed in 2006 by Sampat Pal Devi in the Banda District of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. This region is one of the poorest districts in the country and is marked by a deeply patriarchal culture, rigid caste divisions, female illiteracy, domestic violence, child labour, child marraiges and dowry demands. The women’s group is popularly known as Gulabi or ‘Pink’ Gang because the members wear bright pink saris and wield bamboo sticks. Sampat says, “We are not a gang in the usual sense of the term, we are a gang for justice.”

The Gulabi Gang was initially intended to punish oppressive husbands, fathers and brothers, and combat domestic violence and desertion. The members of the gang would accost male offenders and prevail upon them to see reason. The more serious offenders were publicly shamed when they refused to listen or relent. Sometimes the women resorted to their lathis, if the men resorted to use of force.

Today, the Gulabi Gang has tens of thousands of women members, several male supporters and many successful interventions to their credit. Whether it is ensuring proper public distribution of food-grains to people below the poverty line, or disbursement of pension to elderly widows who have no birth certificate to prove their age, or preventing abuse of women and children, the Pink sisterhood is in the forefront, bringing about system changes by adopting the simplest of methods - direct action and confrontation.

Although the group’s interventions are mostly on behalf of women, they are increasingly called upon by men to challenge not only male authority over women, but all human rights abuses inflicted on the weak."

Their story is BEYOND inspirational! What have you done to create/enforce change or help women?  It may just start with providing an ear or shoulder to women around you. We have a unique set of challenges and circumstances as we navigate this life. Strength in numbers indeed. The Fierce Females in Fuschia let nothing stop them and neither should you!