You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: tell Attorney General Loretta Lynch to get justice for Tamir Rice.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty’s conduct in the Grand Jury supposedly seeking an indictment for Tamir Rice’s murder was — to use a generous word — atypical. The joke about being able to indict a ham sandwich didn’t develop for no reason; the purpose of the grand jury process is to present just enough evidence that ordinary people say “Sure, that person might have done it; there should be a trial to find out.”

McGinty actually presented experts that exonerated the target of the grand jury; this is unprecedented and would never be done in a case for someone who wasn’t law enforcement. The resulting lack of an indictment means that justice is no longer possible at the local level, so Tamir’s family is petitioning federal authorities.

Tamir’s cousin LaTonya Goldsby has a petition at Change.org simply titled “Justice For Tamir Rice” asking the Department of Justice to investigate McGinty and not allow the murder of a 12-year-old boy in broad daylight go unpunished.

Of the failed grand jury Goldsby says: "My family is saddened and disappointed– but we are not surprised” and she cites precedent for the request that needs your signature of support.

From the petition:

The Department of Justice has launched independent investigations into police killings of civilians before. Last year, they launched one in response to the killing of John Crawford, who, like Tamir, had a toy gun in his hand while shopping at a Walmart when police rushed in and shot him to death. A Change.org petition helped make that investigation happen and that’s why I need your signature.

Please sign and share the family’s petition; we can’t allow the grand jury to be the final word on the murder of a 12-year-old boy.

TAKE ACTION:

SIGN: "Justice For Tamir Rice” via Change.org

Sources/further reading:

”For Immediate Release: Tamir Rice’s Family Mourns For Tamir After Non-Indictment of Officers” via the JusticeForJamil Tumblr

"The Paranoid Style of American Policing: When officers take the lives of those they are sworn to protect and serve, they undermine their own legitimacy.” via Ta-Nehisi Coates at The Atlantic

"Failed justice in Tamir Rice death galvanizes faith community to action: Joshua L. Caruso, Tracey Lind and Richard Gibson (Opinion)” via Cleveland.com

"Tamir Rice protesters picket house of Cleveland prosecutor Timothy McGinty” at The Guardian

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #981 "The struggle for justice continues (#BlackLivesMatter)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich