[NYAPRS Enews] Advisory: MH, Human Rights Advocates Gather to Grieve, Decry Police Killing

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS Note: Please share this today with your media contacts.

N E W S    A D V I S O R Y

Mental Health, Human Rights Advocates
Gather to Grieve and Decry Police Killing

WHEN:                7:00 pm   Sunday   January 18, 2014

WHERE:              First Unitarian Universalist Church Albany, NY
Washington Ave and Robin Street

WHAT:                 An Orange County California jury's acquittal last week of Fullerton police officers charged with causing the brutal death of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man with a mental health history, has set off a national uproar amongst human rights and mental health advocates[1]. In the wake of the court's action, the County DA's courage to prosecute the case has been cited[2] and the FBI has opened an investigation to see if Thomas' civil rights were violated.[3]

Kelly Thomas had struggled for years with mental health issues and homelessness. His pointless, tragic death has devastated his family, community, and the national and international mental health community. His death also brings attention to the misconception that people with a psychiatric diagnosis are violent, whereas evidence shows that they are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators of it.

Sunday's 7 pm Albany vigil has been getting a lot of national attention and support as advocates from around the country call for justice and accountability of our law enforcement to the rights and protection of each and every citizen.

CONTACT:          Grace Nichols              518-847-1220
                             Eva Dech                   518-369-5629
                        Briana Gilmore            860-462-0078

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

[1] http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-kelly-thomas-20140115,0,3003173,full.story#axzz2qlMi6oQ2
[1] http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/01/14/fbi-opens-investigation-into-possible-violation-of-kelly-thomas-civil-rights/

________________________________
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

[2] http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-kelly-thomas-20140115,0,3003173,full.story#axzz2qlMi6oQ2

[3] http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/01/14/fbi-opens-investigation-into-possible-violation-of-kelly-thomas-civil-rights/
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