Takar Smith, 45, and Oscar Sanchez, 35, had been each shot and killed by Los Angeles law enforcement officials within the first few days of 2023. Anderson’s dying has heightened anger over regulation enforcement’s use of extreme drive and brutality towards Black and Latino individuals. males.
Dr. Melina Abdullah, who co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Lives Matter motion with Patrisse Cullors, instructed BuzzFeed Information on Saturday that she was deeply affected by the information.
“After we first heard about Keenan Anderson, we had been shocked that there had been a 3rd police killing (in 2023), after which when Patrice reached out and mentioned, ‘That is my cousin,’ we had been utterly blown away,” Abdullah mentioned. . “It made it extra private. It reminded us how typically this occurs and the way shut we’re to house.”
Anderson lived in Washington, D.C., the place he taught tenth grade English on the Digital Pioneers Academy. He was visiting his household throughout winter break on the time of his dying, in accordance with an announcement written by academy founder Madea Ashton on the varsity’s web site.
“Our group is unhappy,” Ashton mentioned He said. “However we’re additionally indignant. Offended that one of many well-known, cherished, and revered members of our group is not with us. Offended that one other lovely, gifted Black soul has gone too quickly.”
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement On Wednesday, she expressed her sympathies to the households and expressed her concern concerning the movies. “The necessity for pressing change is obvious,” Bass wrote. “We should always scale back using drive typically, and I’ve completely no tolerance for extreme drive.”
Abdullah calls on Police Chief Michel Moore to step down from his place. “We have to struggle for justice in Keenan Anderson’s title,” Abdullah mentioned.