Attorney General Eric Holder is at it again announcing indictments for 6 racists, including 4 police officers in the beating death of Luis Ramirez in July 2008 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.
Good ole boys Derrick Donchack, then 19, and Brandon Piekarsky,then 17, are charged with hate crimes for beating Mr. Ramirez to death after a night of drinking and funnin at a local festival. Donchack and Piekarsky baited Mr. Ramirez into a fight, then kicked him to death while their friends shouted racial slurs.
Then the Police stepped in to serve and protect. Police Chief Matthew Nestor, Lt. William Moyer and Officer Jason Hays are charged with conspiring to obstruct justice and civil rights violations. Officer Hays was screwing Piekarsky's mother and Lt. Moyer's son played football with the murderers and probably cheered them on. Police Capt. Jamie Gennarini, Nestor's second in command, just happened to be caught up on charges for a separate extortion ring the department was running on the side regarding illegal gambling. He also offerred to let a local businessman out of jail for $2,000 bucks.
In June 2009, a local, all white jury acquitted these racist bastards on charges of felony aggravated assault, 3rd degree murder, ethnic intimidation, and hindering apprehension. They were convicted of simple assault, a misdemeanor, and sentenced to up to 23 months in the county jail.
After the town became divided and locals gathered over 50,000 signatures on a petition, Gov. Ed Rendell sent a letter to Eric Holder recommending civil rights charges.
While the charges are too little, too late, the defendants could receive life sentences for the civil rights violations. While Eric might not be able to fry the big fish, like Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield, he can keep us distracted with small fish, like Donchack and Piekarsky and throw a few bucks towards Native people to keep them pacified for the next four years.
While I applaud these actions, there is a lot more he could accomplish. Start with tracing the money trail from all the drug money laundered in this country and prosecute government officials responsible for cocaine distribution in minority communities during Iran-Contra. Compensate ALL the victims of COINTELPRO and apologize for the governments' actions. Prosecute whoever leaked the name of our CIA Agent. Prosecute and torture those responsible for approving torture techniques and rendition. Release all prisoners convicted of non-violent marijuana offenses immediately. Look into all cases of police brutality and shootings for possible hate crimes violations.
Start there, then release Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu Jamal, and I will finally believe justice can be achieved for minorities in this country. Until then, its just lip service.
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