The Senate’s confirmation today of Dr. Vivek Murthy as surgeon general was seen by many as a rebuke to the NRA and a victory by groups like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, who have argued, like Rep. Nancy Pelosi, that guns are indeed a public health issue.
It might have been that spirit that, during today’s vigil by the Hands Up Coalition at the U.S. Justice Department, led Dr. Margaret Flowers of anti-capitalist group Popular Resistance to declare that “institutionalized racism is a public health emergency.” CNN’s Betsy Klein was there.
http://t.co/CHyyI4jm6P director: "The US is at a crisis of injustice… It's time to respond." pic.twitter.com/qNUu8Lw2nD
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Dr. Margaret Flowers from Popular Resistance: "institutionalized racism is a public health emergency." pic.twitter.com/CgXugOXryT
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Attendance was light outside the Justice Department today, but the rhetoric was often heated.
So far, 29 protestors and a bunch of journalists outside @TheJusticeDept pic.twitter.com/rodVOyVgUj
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Protestor: "We will hold vigil every Monday until the police officer that shot Michael Brown is indicted." pic.twitter.com/qGSJHUgfPf
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
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Also represented: the Hip Hop Caucus.
Hip Hop Caucus President: "We are outraged…What you are seeing today is a new civil rights movement for a new time" pic.twitter.com/uh3g6LnH7D
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
"We have a black president… But the system is still killing black people." – Hip Hop Caucus President pic.twitter.com/t9CvCPUgLW
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Hip Hop Caucus prez calls for systemic changes to justice system, including a national database for police brutality pic.twitter.com/rGyLiMysfe
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Things “took a turn” when We Act Radio founder and program director Kymone Freeman took the microphone.
https://twitter.com/AbsolutLIBRA/status/544612635186958336
http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10831766_907436452609592_1278612627_n.jpg
.&WeActRadio's Kymone Freedman:"We need new policies, we need radical police reform." Calls for citizen review board. http://t.co/nc2hq2YTKO
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Hands Up Coalition DC's Vigil just took a turn: "Where are the dead cops? … Where's the crisis?" – Kymone Freedman pic.twitter.com/0gB730D0Y8
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014
Where are the dead cops? These protesters from Saturday’s #MillionsMarchNYC also seemed to be looking for dead cops.
NYC protesters chant for dead cops: http://t.co/IbFEuRY8F4 Chilling video if authentic. Cannot believe this is #NYC. #MillionsMarchNYC
— NYPD 25th Precinct (@NYPD25Pct) December 14, 2014
"Mr. Holder, your DoJ is filled with cowards," protestors say outside the Department of Justice pic.twitter.com/DOcXwQJd2E
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 15, 2014