#ShutDownA14

15 people responded to our Call to a Vigil/Signholding in front of Iolani Palace to
Demand Justice for Sheldon Haleck on very short notice.  A small memorial was set up and our signs lined King Street during rush hour

Many commuters honked their horns; a few stopped their cars to ask what had happened; several pedestrians stopped to talk, thank us, or tell about their own experiences with police brutality.

We also heard some potentially important new information.  According to someone who was within several hundred yards of the killing but did not personally see Sheldon get tased,, Sheldon was "dragged from the street" rather than "escorted," as the HPD report claimed, and  several people he had spoken with overheard conversations between the police immediately after Sheldon was tased saying they were "worried that the woman cop who tased Sheldon had tased him too long."   At this point facts are still sketchy, but while we held signs we couldn't help but note that there were a number of surveillance cameras in the vicinity that might hold important information.

A Press Release was sent to members of Hawai`i's media; only Channel 9 came out.  The photographer took a lot of pictures, but we haven't seen any coverage.  However, we do have the power of the social media - if we utilize it.  Put pictures of Sheldon Haleck on facebook.  Spread the picture of the memorial everywhere.  Call the press. And get ready for April 14!   As we said in our Press Release:


We  Say NO MORE!   World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i calls on the people of Hawai`i to demand the truth about the circumstances surrounding the death of Sheldon Haleck.
We challenge the media to vigorously investigate the actions of the HPD and to refuse to parrot police reports and attempts to vilify victims of police brutality and murder. We challenge the people of Hawaii to stand with the victims of police brutality and create an atmosphere where families can talk openly about their loved ones, and where witnesses of police brutality can step forward to tell the truth.  In the wake of the police murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, people across the U.S. righteously stood up against police murder and brutality, the targeting of Black and Brown people, and the lack of prosecution of the police for their crimes.

People of different races and nationalities, and from all walks of life, joined together to say, “We  Can't Breathe,” in solidarity with those being victimized. Through many different forms of protest and resistance, the entire society was finally forced to confront this burning injustice.  Meanwhile, murder by police continues unchecked.


In the last 8 months HPD has killed at least 5 unarmed Hawai`i residents.  Hawai`i has one of the highest rates of police murder and brutality in the U.S. 
The epidemic of police murder and brutality must end!   NOW! 

On April 14 we wo;; be joining with people across the U.S. calling for a Shut Down to Stop Murder (#ShutDownA14).  Go to www.stopmassincarceration.net to connect with the growing movement against police murder, brutality and mass incarceration!

Demand Justice for Sheldon Haleck!
Friday, March 20, 4:30-5:30
Vigil from 4:30-5:30;  Press Conference at 5pm
King Street, in front of Iolani Palace

Sheldon Haleck posted this picture of himself with his son on Facebook on March 8, 2015.  One week later he was dead after being pepper sprayed and then tased twice by HPD.
 

Sheldon Haleck was 38 years old.  He was born in Samoa and moved to Hawai`i with his family as a child.  He graduated from Kaiser HS and owns a home in Milillani.   His facebook is that of a proud father, filled with pictures of his young son.  A friend he knew described him as  "very kind-hearted, soft and humble man,...Sheldon was loved by so many and always will be."
 

Reports of what happened are sketchy but there's enough to raise a big alarm. 

HPD alleges they were trying to arrest Sheldon on "suspicion of disorderly conduct" and that he became "combative" after being pepper sprayed and tased twice, and then tripped and fell to the street in front of Iolani Palace.  They allege they "escorted" him to the sidewalk, where he suddenly become "unresponsive"  and was transported to Queen's where he was pronounced dead. HPD has classified his death as an "unattended death."   Results of the autopsy are expected to take up to 4 weeks.


What happened to Sheldon Haleck?  What caused him to be "acting erratically" when his friends say this is completely "out of character?" Where are the witnesses?  Surveillance tapes?  (this is in front of Iolani Palace and the U.S. Post Office!).  Why should anyone trust a report by HPD given their record of cover-ups?  Remember the case of Stephen Dinnon of Waimanalo who was beaten by HPD and later died?  Or of Aaron Torres of Nanakuli, who was asphyxiated after calling HPD for help?


THIS MUST END!    WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE SILENT!  We must learn from the people of Ferguson, who rigteously rose up to demand justice for Michael Brown!


We must build a community that supports victims of police murder and brutality!


Join us on Friday, March 20, to demand justice for Sheldon Haleck!  Bring signs.  Bring flowers or messages for a memorial.