A petition referencing recent cases of black suspects dying at the hands of police officers has been created demanding a federal and state investigation into the unexplained death of Sheneque Proctor, 18, in the Bessemer City Jail.
Proctor, who was arrested Nov. 1, died overnight in her cell in Bessemer during the same period that has seen widespread protests arising over recent high-profile cases involving police and male suspects in various parts of the country. Protests have erupted over the death of Michael Brown, 18, in Ferguson, Mo. and a grand jury’s determination not to charge the officer who shot him. More protestors have taken to the streets after grand jurors declined to indict a New York police officer in the July 14 death of Eric Garner, who was fatally choked during an arrest, and after the Nov. 22 fatal police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice while he was holding a realistic-looking toy gun in Cleveland, Ohio.
The petition, which was created on Change.org Monday, links Sheneque Proctor’s death to those which have led to unrest throughout the nation, including here in Birmingham.
“The death of Black Men like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice is a clear indication that Black Lives are in jeopardy from Police who have declared it open season on Black Men,” reads the petition by Karen Jones of Montgomery. “Insult over injury no indictment and a video which clearly shows officers using a choke hold on Eric Garner who loudly and clearly stated that he could NOT breathe was not enough to save his life.
“Yet in Alabama where most of the historical landmark Civil Right Movements and cases we have lost an 18 year old Black young woman under the hands of Bessemer Police,” the petition states, referring to a story about Proctor’s death on Naturally Moi.com. Although the first story about Proctor’s death originated in Weld and was picked up by partnering news service New America Media, since then several websites around the country have begun carrying news of Proctor’s death.
Family members have said that Proctor, of Brighton, who suffered from asthma, complained of being treated roughly by Bessemer Police officers who arrested her during a party. The next morning, she was found dead in her jail cell. Thus far, authorities in Bessemer have declined to comment and have referred reporters to the State Bureau of Investigations, which is looking into the case, according to spokeswoman Robyn Bryan.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s office, contacted by Weld, said their investigation was not complete. At present, family members have said they know few details about Proctor’s death. A representative from the NAACP has accompanied Proctor’s relatives to inquire about the case.
Over the weekend, Proctor’s mother hired Florence attorney Hank Sherrod, a Birmingham-Southern and Vanderbilt Law School graduate, who has represented the families of other inmates who have died while in custody. Sherrod said he expected to get more information about the case by next month.
Karen Jones could not be immediately reached for comment about her petition. The petition signals that Proctor’s death in custody is being linked with long-festering distrust between some in the black community and the police who have sworn to serve and protect.
“This family deserves some answers,” the petition states. “We don’t need another “I can’t breathe” story. Her life mattered and still matters to her family. They deserve answers from the State Bureau of Investigations and the FBI. As Blacks we deserve answers because we know Alabama lawmakers have Open Carry Laws and it seems as if we are getting into the Open Season on Blacks.”
The petition calls on State Senator Quinton Ross, State Representative Alvin Holmes and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell to “request both State and Federal investigations in the death of this 18 year old Black female.”
As of press time, more than 100 people had signed the online petition. Other petitions on Change.org relate directly to the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases.
Wayne Hester also contributed reporting to this story.