Memphis Cops Caught on Tape Beating Transsexual Prisoner

from AlterNet's PEEK:



Memphis Cops Caught on Tape Beating Transsexual Prisoner

Posted by Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend at 6:25 AM on June 19, 2008.

When victim ignored slurs, officers attacked with handcuffs, mace.



Our trans brothers and sisters are human beings. How difficult is this concept to grasp for the bigots out there? I'm sick and angered by story after story about grown adults -- in this case a law enforcement officer sworn to serve and protect everyone -- acting like violent brutes out of fear and ignorance. And all the while they are enabled by others who look on and do nothing. Memphis station WMC-TV has the video. You must watch it.

Watch: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/88628/




The officer went on to hit Ms. Johnson with his handcuffs several times in the face; she said "the third time he hit me, it split my skull and I had blood coming out. So I jumped up." Did it stop then? No. He pulled out the mace and sprayed her.

When a nurse finally came out did she attend to Ms. Johnson, who by this time is handcuffed on the floor? No. She went directly over to the officer to tend to him. You can see it in the video as she walks past Duanna, who is clearly in pain.

And remember, all of this occurred in a booking area, where the officer surely knew he was on tape. That's how brazen this BS is.

The only tiny consolation about this horror story is that the Memphis police officer who held Johnson has been fired, while the assailant is on desk duty while awaiting a hearing.

It's an enraging reminder that while each civil rights gain in the LGBT community is meaningful, we cannot rest until we are all safe, all free from discrimination. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/88628/

Why dehumanize a person? Because if you dehumanize a person that person becomes a non-human to you. You can then treat it any way you want, without any guilty conscience or remorse, because you've made a thing, not a human being.

The video of what happened to Duanna Johnson is a perfect example of this.

but the one who did the actual beating is on desk duty pending a hearing? It isn't enough that they have him on videotape? :wtf:

got himself a new job already with a department that likes their cops thuggish.

Maybe getting his own skull split open would perhaps rattle and jar loose some latent reason that has up until now remain blocked form his consciousness.

and yet I'm not.

But I am afraid the monsters are driving us into a time where it may be necessary to directly engage in our own self-preservation, even if it means that which we would not consider under normal circumstances.

They aren't giving us a choice.

That is disgusting. Poor woman. And calling her names? That is beyond the pale. I'm crying. She's a human being, who was in their control, and they treat her like that, why?

Not in America... :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

.... without the sandy white beaches, palm trees and turquoise water.

They were involved in that little thing at the Lorraine Motel back in '68 too.

Somebody get me the fuck out of here. I beg of you. have mercy

:grr: :nuke: :grr:

Sounds about right.