NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On
February 20, 2016, more than 100,000
Chinese Americans in more than 30 major cities across the U.S. are
united as The Coalition of Justice for Liang to rally for justice
of ex-NYPD officer Peter Liang.
These cities include New York,
Los Angeles, San Diego, San
Francisco, Salt Lake City,
Seattle, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Miami, among others. The Coalition of
Justice for Liang is a group of Chinese American organizations that
are concerned about the trial of Liang and we are seeking equal
justice.
Twenty-eight-year old Peter Liang
had been on the duty for only 18 months when he was assigned to
conduct a vertical patrol at the Pink Houses, a high crime housing
project in Brooklyn. The two
officers were patrolling the pitch dark stairwell and Mr. Liang's
gun accidentally discharged. The bullet ricocheted off the wall and
struck Akai Gurley, an African
American civilian who happened to have entered the stairwell about
one floor below. Unaware of Mr. Gurley's injury at first, Mr. Liang
was in the eighth floor hallway, discussing with his partner how to
report this incident. When Mr. Liang finally arrived on the fifth
floor with his partner and saw the injured Mr. Gurley, Mr. Liang
immediately called for an ambulance while Mr. Gurley's girlfriend
was performing CPR. Unfortunately Mr. Gurley died later.
Mr. Liang was convicted of second-degree manslaughter on
Feb. 11, 2016 and may face a sentence
of up to 15 years.
This Coalition of Justice for Liang is saddened by the tragic
loss of the life of an innocent civilian and expresses its
condolences to Mr. Gurley's family. We strongly believe that it is
wrong to prosecute Mr. Liang for a tragic accident. We believe that
Mr. Liang was subjected to selective prosecution with an unfair
trial. The coalition denounces racial discrimination and the system
covering up injustices with more injustices.
"We are deeply sorry for Mr. Gurley and his family. This is a
tragedy for both families. We believe accountability is in order,"
said Jack Ouyang, the spokesperson
of this coalition. He added, "In the wake of so many unfortunate
deaths of unarmed African American men in the hands of police
officers, the tension between the police and African American
communities nationwide has reached an unprecedented level. However,
it is totally wrong for the prosecutor to single out Mr.
Liang."
We believe that Mr. Liang has been sacrificed as a scapegoat in
a highly politicized criminal justice system, resulting from recent
intensifying police-community relations. By protesting Officer
Liang's conviction, the Coalition of Justice for Liang is demanding
that NYPD must shoulder its responsibilities. We are demanding true
justice for Mr. Liang and justice for all.
For more information, visit:
http://justiceforliang.com/
Media Contact: Jack Ouyang,
jack.ouyang@justiceforliang.com, (201) 817-9981
Bin Xie, bxieus@gmail.com, (832) 380-4943
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SOURCE Coalition of Justice for Liang