Do you support the recent call by the Justice for Alex Nieto Coalition for an independent investigation of his shooting death? If so, what could an independent investigation uncover that the trial did not?
Respuestas en español aquÃ.
Joshua Arce, civil rights attorney and Community Liaison for Laborers Local 261
Alex Nieto’s death was a tragedy and it typifies why we need reform around police use of force. Investigations of shootings by the police should be open, transparent and independent and occur immediately so that both families and the public have confidence in proceedings.
As the son of a policeman and a lawyer who has represented the victims of excessive police use of force, I believe I am uniquely placed to help bridge the divide between law enforcement and the public.
I urge everyone to vote yes on Proposition D which will mandate independent reviews of all officer involved shootings.
Iswari España, Training Officer with the San Francisco Human Services Agency
Yes, I do support an independent investigation of the case. This case thus far has set precedent for injustice in the community and in the City as a whole. An independent investigation will not only reaffirm the truth but it will expose failures of the investigative system and process. Then, we as community can demand accountability and reform. Only the residents of our community have taken the lead to plead for justice in the case, and not the local administration and politicians who have slowly reacted to this very important issue.
Edwin Lindo, Vice-President of External Affairs at the Latino Democratic Club
Being the only candidate that has consistently and unapologetically stood with the Justice for Alex Nieto and the Justice for Mario Woods Coalitions, I wholeheartedly support the Nieto’s demands.
Not only do we need an independent investigation of the shootings that have taken the lives of three young men of color in the last year and a half, I demand we bring the DOJ Civil Rights division to investigate — what will be exposed is that blatant and implicit racism has corrupted our criminal justice system. I’m confident we can overcome this evil, but it starts by exposing and acknowledging the evil.
Hillary Ronen, Chief of Staff for Supervisor David Campos
The killing of Alex Nieto has shaken our community to its core. An essay by Rebecca Solnit is a must read and brings up a multitude of issues and unanswered questions surrounding the police killing of Nieto – some of which could be answered by an independent investigation. Trust between law enforcement and the community is at an all time low following the police killings of Mario Woods, Amilcar Perez-Lopez, and Alex Nieto. To begin to restore this trust, San Francisco needs effective and independent oversight over the SFPD.
Melissa San Miguel, education advocate
Enough is enough. It is absolutely clear that there are serious problems with the over-policing of communities of color. As a woman of color, this concerns me deeply as I think about how my children could be affected. I believe we need to get at the root of this problem, and until that happens an independent investigation is needed. People simply don’t trust the justice system and it’s absolutely understandable. I believe that we must also require police to use minimal force and de-escalation tactics as a practice. Alex Nieto was shot several times even when he was already down on the ground – is that really our San Francisco? We need to put an end to this epidemic.
Darcel Jackson did not submit an answer by press time.
43 Questions is a weekly series — started 43 weeks before Election Day — to question the candidates running for District 9 supervisor. Send us your questions to info@missionlocal.com and let us know in comments or in an e-mail if you think candidates have answered as asked.
Iswari, what happens if an independent investigation finds the officers conduct was legally justified? Demand another one? Then another one, and anothe one. A jury, not picked by any special means or with any outright bias at play, unanimously agreed on a verdict. It sounds like you just don’t like their conclusion. Also, no one was slow to do anything. The family decided when they wanted to have the officers tried in court. That happened only when the prosecution’s sole witness came out and made his interpretation of events public-a year after the fact. It doesn’t sound like you’re particularly impartial, it sounds like you’ve come to your own conclusion and are looking for someone with actual legal power to echo your sentimates. Good luck.
Hillary-What would an agency like the one you allude to look like? Would it be governmental? Community based? A few SF residents who you think are passionate about the same issues as you are? And then give these people, people that essentially just rubbed you the right way, power that supersedes our police forc? Forgive me for my skepticism. What happens if this new agency becomes corrupted, they begin manipulating crime scenes, similarly to your indirect accusations against SFPD & how they can’t be trusted to process a crime scene?
Melissa-Not being a person of color-i’m sure my opinion on this issue is significantly less important to you than if I was. Regardless, I don’t think what you think are the root problems here are what I think are the root problems. And being a native San Franciscsn, I know I speak for alot of my fellow natives when I say were okay with granting our police force-comprised of people of color and people who’re not-the right to use lethal force when they feel their lives or others lives are in danger. Several officers have been killed in the line of duty in SF. Dozens of civilians have died at the hands/wheels/bullets of criminals who officers failed to stop in SF. The dangers aren’t make believe. You sound quite naive to be running for office.