Bronx Community Compares NYPD To KKK After Shooting Death Of Ramarley Graham

Tensions are growing between Bronx residents and the NYPD after the fatal shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Ramarley Graham Thursday.

"I never wanted him to go out like this," Leona Virgo, Graham's 22-year-old sister told fellow demonstrators outside the 47th precinct Monday night, according to The New York Times. "He was only 18 years old," adding, "This is not just about Ramarley. This is about all young black men."

A large and raucous crowd-- led by the victim's father, Franclot Graham, his mother, Constance Malcolm and grandmother, Patricia Hartley--marched from Malcolm's Wakefield home to the precinct, where they compared NYPD officers to hate groups. "NYPD: KKK" went one chant.

NY1 reports:

"They cornered that little man in his house, perfect place to ask questions, but instead of asking questions, they shoot him down right then and there. And they are New York's finest--what is fine about that?" said one protester.

"They just judge by our looks, or whatever and think that some of is bad kids like that, they don't really want to give us a chance, as well," said another.

A vigil was also held outside Graham's home Monday, where neighbors lit candles, laid flowers, and left posters with anti-police slogans including, "Blood is on your shoulders NYPD killer!"

Security footage from Thursday shows Graham entering his home and police following him shortly thereafter. Cops said they had witnessed Graham participate in a drug deal and thought he had a gun.

Inside the home Graham went into the bathroom, where he may have been trying to flush some marijuana down the toilet when an unidentified officer--now on restrictive duty while Internal affairs investigates the incident--fired one shot and killed the teen.

Graham did not have a gun.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, whose department initially said there had been a struggle with Graham before the gun fired (there was not), said Friday, "At this juncture, we see an unarmed person being shot. That always concerns us."

Graham's tragic end is reminiscent of the Bronx shooting death of Amadou Diallo over a decade ago, which similarly galvanized minority communities in the borough against police. From The Daily News:

"Anytime you end up having an unarmed person, particularly someone of color, who gets shot and killed by police, it brings back all of the old stories," said State Assemblyman Carl Heastie.

Diallo died in a hail of police bullets at his Soundview home on Feb. 4, 1999. After mistaking Diallo’s wallet for a gun, four officers fired 41 times, hitting the 23-year old Guinean immigrant 19 times.

The Thursday before Graham's death, someone videotaped Bronx police officers excessively beating 19-year-old Jateik Reed after Reed allegedly hit an officer. The four officers involved in that incident have been been placed on modified duty.

Comments

[ProgressivesWin]

03:16 PM on 02/09/2012

Amazing the number of triggerhappycowards the NYPD employs...

[Cassandra L Chapa]

10:36 AM on 02/09/2012

Killed over a sack of bud. So sad. The police need to start focusing on the real criminals!

[wgalison]

06:40 AM on 02/09/2012

Judicial Corruption whistleblower kidnapped by NYPD , threatened and murdered.

Why is the Huffington Post complicit in the coverup?

This is the first example on record in New York State of a death ruled "€œundetermined"€ by the Medical Examiner going without an investigation.

http://www.sunnysheu.blogspot.com

Sunny Sheu posted a Youtube video saying he had been kidnapped by two NYPD detectives of the Queens DA’s office, and threatened with death if he reported the mortgage fraud ring that stole his house.

In the video he states that he requested witness protection from the FBI and predicts he will be killed by New York State Supreme Court Judge Joseph Golia and the NYPD cops that the judge ordered to kidnap him.

Weeks later he was found bludgeoned to death on a cul de sac in Queens. The NYPD illegally removed his body from the hospital hours after his death and sent it to the Medical Examiner with a fraudulent note saying he died of natural causes.

The medical examiner didn’t play along and ruled the cause of death "Blunt force trauma to the head with skull fractures and brain injuries"- and the manner of death "Undetermined". Despite the ME'€™s ruling, no investigation has ever been conducted.

The NYPD refuses to respond to requests for information regarding the case under New York Freedom of Information Act, in violation of state law. All the above statements are substantiated by public records which can be found at:

http://www.sunnysheu.blogspot.com

[ProgressivesWin]

03:17 PM on 02/09/2012

NYPD=Newmafia.

[wgalison]

06:47 PM on 03/08/2012

You have that 100% right. We must take action and fast.

[shupper]

11:44 PM on 02/08/2012

This is NYC, folks. The NYPD will bury this one fast. They always do.

[BlackTom]

05:15 PM on 02/08/2012

This kid tried to avoid the stop and search dragnets that incarcerate people for a decriminlized violation.
Cops said, oh no you don't. You don't want to get falsely arrested? Then die.

I am so sorry for everyone. It does not have to be this way. Police do not need to murder people who are NOT committing a crime, and just want to be left alone. I can't imagine the pain his family feels.

Is THIS enough to get the mayor, the governor, the president to rein in the psychotic policy of the police chief. If not, what will it take? A white kid getting murdered by the police? Show me how this is not violent psychotic racism, under color of authority, in action.

[R2D2-51]

05:11 PM on 02/08/2012

What the poleece did was cold blooded murder. What I wanna know is why hasn't the local prosecutor charged them with that. Or is this just another typical example of the "Emperor has not clothes" where it is do as I say, not as I do society?

[The Bronx]

02:20 PM on 02/08/2012

Red necks will always be lurking around in the american society... they define everything about what "america" is and who the police are trained to protect... white folks. NWA said it best years back:

F/U C-K the Police!!!

[Sean Porter]

03:07 PM on 02/08/2012

The irony was that Eazy E supported the GOP enthusiastically.

[R2D2-51]

05:14 PM on 02/08/2012

This behavior by the PD is pretty much typical, and a by-product of the kind of society we allowed to be developed in the modern era.

[Max Shaw]

01:57 PM on 02/08/2012

Someone should play Louie Armstrong's 'What A Wondeful World' against a montage of all these police beating videos, hack their NYPD computers and play it on loop forever so they can be reminded everyday of the 'difference they are making in their communities'.

[queenti2]

01:38 PM on 02/08/2012

Ramarley Graham is MURDERED, shot down like a dog IN HIS OWN HOME yet this DEVIL, this BEAST Alyssa Bustamante is still breathing... where is the justice in that!?

[Max Shaw]

01:53 PM on 02/08/2012

that b**** should fry for what she did!

[flatbushqueen]

04:32 AM on 02/08/2012

For those of you questioning why Ramarley ran from the police: Google "flaking" . Many people seem to think this kid was living a life of crime and some how this is alright -even acceptable and have no problem with it at all. The NYPD has proven it is all about the numbers and no longer about the people. NY is a police state. We have no rights and at any given time any law abiding citizen can get caught up in a sweep or a good old "stop & frisk" ~ Welcome to NY!

[quixmar]

02:27 AM on 02/08/2012

You know, I just remembered a story my wife told me.
We are white. We go to a church that is predominantly black.
She was teacking the little kids Sunday School and was talking about"helpful."
She asked, "If you're lost, and you see a policeman, what do you do?"
THIS IS IMPORTANT PEOPLE!!!
One of the little black kids shouted out "RUN!"
You can't teach your kids that and expect what happens to them not to happen and that is where the tradgedy begins. You teach your kid to "RUN!"

[jrhugs]

02:52 PM on 02/08/2012

You REALLY must be kidding me. Are you seriously trying to condone the fact that systematic abuses exist? Are you trying to tell me that your scope is so limited by the safety of whiteness that you cannot understand how and why Back children, adult Black people, People of Color as a whole are distrusting of the police? We live in a society that has tried, succeeded and continues to target and exterminate those who do not fit the narrow scope of whiteness. Those who do not readily assimilate into what is deemed acceptable are viewed as a threat to whiteness and thus a danger. Audre Lorde said it best, "You cannot use the master's tool to dismantle the master's house." People of color cannot easily put themselves within the view of danger and not expect danger. Sir, I do not agree with you and you aren't right. Check your privileges in this society, ASAP. It is people like you who, facing mountains of evidence of innocence yet willingly ignoring them, keep this unjust, racist, homophobic and misogynistic society in place. How dare you write something so very unhelpful? How dare you blame the victim? You really need to check yourself, although I am wary that you can. Look at where you live, look at how you are represented and understand that not all people benefit from the very specific and protective guards of white privilege.

Signed,
A Rightfully Enraged Woman of Color

[quixmar]

04:52 PM on 02/08/2012

continued... My mother and I went to the welfare office and applied. We were denied, and the woman was black. Years later, my mother had her purse snatched, and was thanked by a punch to the face by a black man. From my experience, what view should I have of the African American community? Should I hate all of you for that or just the specific people involved? You are blaming society, and the police, and somehow homophobia snuck in there but exonerate this young man that is no longer here.

Half the people I work with are black. We never have problems and are respectful to each other. Too bad everyone else can't be like us.

I may not know about your experience, but I know that you can't blame the world for your experience either. Hope I made sense while I bleed here.

[BlackTom]

05:18 PM on 02/08/2012

Thank you, hugs.

[quixmar]

02:17 AM on 02/08/2012

The bottom line is this...
When the cops come after you, don't run.
Take your lumps like a "man."

You wanna play drug dealer?
Getting killed is an occupational risk of the trade.

Where was the family before this?
Funny they didn't appeared concerned about him.
Maybe they should sue the city for $490 Trillion.

[oranjbleu]

06:25 AM on 02/08/2012

so "black people" teaching their kids to run from cops and this kid deserve to die .. is that what your are saying ..? and you said you goto church ?

[quixmar]

08:46 AM on 02/08/2012

Maybe I should type a bit slower because some people (and they know who they are) are a little challenged, or perhaps don't read all of the words, or don't understand what it written, so in response to a question I posed, no that is not what I'm saying.

First, black people SHOULD stop teaching their kids to run from the cops (if they are).
They should be teaching their kids to make a better life for themselves and to NOT get involved with crime. They should be involved in their kids' school, and homework.

Having said that, NO I don't think anyone deserves to die, but the fact is that if the cops have you, they have you. Running won't make them disappear. You will be caught sooner or later. And this kid ran home?

Having said that, there have been cops shot and killed for nothing by "black kids" (but I don't attribute that to the entire community.) In the late 70's I attended the funeral of a cop killed for sitting in a KFC, so please, they are not all innocent little sweethearts.

[quixmar]

08:53 AM on 02/08/2012

Finally, yes I do go to church. As a matter of fact, Reverend is one of my titles, but it is only an educational title, for I am not a pastor or anything like that. What does that have to do with anything in the story? Is my religion suppose to make me think that one was wrong over the other? Because if that is what you think, then I side with the cops. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God."

Now you threw "church" at me which is fine, but I have had some very nasty little words that came my way from a self identified "black pastor" awhile back. Long story short, I got an email from the man who claimed that someone else was using his account. Okay that's fine, but between the comments made here and in my prior posts, I don't like using the word black because we are all Gods' children and should not see color. Color was interjected, so it had to be used, and you also reacted because color was used.

It is sad that this young man was killed, but you cannot hold him guiltless. He wasn't picked up because of color. He was selling pot, and should not have run which is the point. There is nothing in this world that would make a thinking person run. The final result sometimes is not pleasant. I hope you understand my posts.

[george washington3]

09:09 AM on 02/08/2012

why are you?

[quixmar]

10:00 AM on 02/08/2012

Because the other guy asked. Please pay attention.

[ZC1968]

01:22 AM on 02/08/2012

The NYPD is hellbound, I trust nothing they say of do

[fromdnorth]

10:28 PM on 02/07/2012

Gun check
Nightstick check
Taser Check
Hood- No I have my own...

[stevo818]

10:23 PM on 02/07/2012

They do this cuz were black, cuz we look different, cuz, cuz, cuz, blah, blah, blah BLAHHHH. Whatever. If this is how they do it, then why arent they shooting a young black man everyday. Because there are special circumstances that lead to these situations; and if it does come down to something evil, then the cop needs to be hung, but that dosent mean the NYPD is the KKK and everyone is a racist. Im so sick of blacks acting like they are some kind of innocent victims. Most all crime is commited by blacks period.The city that I live in turns more and more crap every year strickly because of blacks destroying nieghborhood after nieghborhood and no one willing to admitt that.This a total fact in all major cities.This why the cops are chasing them with guns. PERIOD.

[teeforbes]

11:26 PM on 02/07/2012

Questions for you, stevo818 - and answer it honestly. Do you think the result would have been different if the police had spotted a white kid - same circumstances as Ramarley? Do you think they would have killed a white kid? What are the "special circumstances" in this case that led the police to kick down a locked door, w/o a warrant and shoot an unarmed person in the bathroom? And even if he did have a gun Have you watched the surveillance tapes? Go to Youtube. Type in "Ramarley Graham". I'm reading a lot of hate in your posting. I hope you get over this hate. It's poisonous. Do not allow your hatred for black people who are destroying neighborhoods all over America to get into the way of your reasonable thinking.

Yes, blacks sometimes are victims - in many cases, innocent victims-- of police brutality. They have a right to gripe. I'm sorry this bothers you. If it were possible, you should blacken your face and see how differently you get treated. Have some heart.

By the way, I'm black. Last time I checked. I went to school - even got a Master's. I'm not selling drugs or destroying neighborhoods, but I might twice about coming into your neighborhood to live. You'd hate me, right?

[OntheJob44]

12:27 AM on 02/08/2012

Actually teeforbes, It would have been the same outcome he had stashed the marijuana down his pants so when he turned towards the police officers and was reaching up with something they have a split second to react to that. If it was a gun he was holding or not its still a sudden movement, at the start of my tour the only thing i think about is getting home to my wife and kids.

If it comes down to me or him 10 times out of 10 it will be me that goes home. Police Officers are not X-ray machines they can't see what he's holding in his pants, by the time he pulls it out it, it could be to late for you. I would rather be tried by 12 then carried by 6.

Learn the facts of the case they did not kick in a locked door they followed a fleeing felon into a house, you do not need a warrant in this case it is Exigent Circumstances. This exception refers to emergency situations where the process of getting a valid search warrant could compromise public safety or could lead to a loss of evidence.

Think about this. Why was he running from the police officers in the first case?
Feel empathy for the police officer involved because it is the worst thing in the world to have to take someones life away from them, this day will haunt him for the rest of his life.

[stevo818]

12:32 AM on 02/08/2012

And your point is? The point is that it wasnt a white boy, it was a hispanic boy, and it wasnt a oriental boy; it was a black boy. Is that the white, hispanic and oriental boys fault????Dude , you are in my neighborhood. Your everywhere; and no I dont hate you because your black. I do hate the fact that Blacks are constantly playing this victim card and using racism as there scapegoat. Dude, I grew up in a black area in Milwaukee in the 60's and 70's. I know the score and it hasnt changed much since then. It has changed,thank God, but not much. Blacks are getting more racist by the day. That is the truth. Whites are constanly giving and constanly making changes to make it easier for blacks and the blacks keep makin excusses.I commend you for your efforts; I can easily say that, but that does not even slightly mean that I like or hate all blacks or whites. You are truthfull and honorable by your own merits. Period. There is no one to blame but yourself in any and all actions , rewards, benefits and destruction of your life, black white, rich, poor. Its that simple.Blacks need to quit pointing the finger and take a good look at the man in the mirror.