I just learned of #ElijahMcClain. I cannot handle his story. His volunteering to play violin at an animal shelter to calm the animals speaks to a kind, young, compassionate man. His violent death in August 2019, at the hands of Aurora PD after a carotid choke hold and the pressure on his chest caused this 23 year old man to vomit, and the paramedics who responded to the call and per guidance from the PO, administered ketamine due to his agitated state. He suffered two cardiac arrests in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
All three responding officers miraculously had their camera fall off during the call. Their audio still worked. During the call, while applying the carotid choke hold, the officer is heard telling another officer who was picking one of the cameras, “Move the camera, dude.” He intentionally was avoiding being caught on camera doing what he was doing. Because the audio worked, we have Elijah’s last statements to the police:
“I can’t breath. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That’s my house. I am just going home. I’m an introvert. I’m just different. That’s all. I’m so sorry. I don’t have a gun. I don’t do that stuff. I don’t do any fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies! I don’t eat meat! But I don’t judge people, I don’t judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying to do was become better. I will do it. I will do anything. Sacrifice my identity. I’ll do it. You are all phenomenal. You are beautiful. And I love you. Try to forgive me. I am a mood Gemini. I’m sorry. I am so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You all are very strong. Teamwork makes the dream work....(crying)...oh I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to do that, I just can’t breath correctly.”
#elijahmcclain #LoveforEli #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #APD #AuroraPoliceDepartment
artwork Matty Miller Studio
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This post is getting a lot of attention. From the artist of this image:
“Thank you to everyone who has grieved for Elijah and shared his story. Because people are becoming aware of this tragic story and using their voices to demand justice, Governor Jared Polis has appointed a new, independent prosecutor to investigate this case.
But THIS IS NOT ENOUGH!
THE KILLERS, Officers Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema have been re-assigned by the police department but are still GETTING PAID with taxpayer dollars. This is not right and we need to continue to apply pressure to our elected officials.
*** Please call the office of Governor Polis
303-866-2471 to demand that the officers are fired immediately while the investigation proceeds.
Additionally, District Attorney Dave Young declined to file criminal charges and he should RESIGN IMMEDIATELY for not holding the officers accountable.
***Please demand of Governor Polis that DA Dave Young is removed from his position for willfully and persistently failing to perform his duty to file criminal charges against the officers who killed Elijah.”
