‘ People’s indictment’ issued against police brutality

May 28 protest indicts Pittsburgh cops for brutality. Photo: Kelly Valdez

Determined not to live in a city plagued by police brutality, a couple hundred vocal and resolved Pittsburghers showed up at Allegheny County courthouse on May 28 and hung a People’s Indictment on the gate. The group represented the thousands who had signed petitions demanding justice for all people starting with Jordan Miles and the passage of local bill 2010-0234 — the “Police Reporting and Accountability Bill,” which is similar to bills passed in Philadelphia and New York City.

On Jan. 12, 2010, Jordan Miles was walking to his grandmother’s house when three undercover cops jumped out of an unmarked car and, without identifying themselves as police, charged toward him hollering, “Where’s the money? Where’s the drugs?” It was an ambush! Fearing for his life, 18-year-old Miles ran until he was caught, beaten mercilessly and arrested. The cops said they thought he had a gun in his pocket and later said it was a soda bottle. Neither was found.

Charges against Miles were dropped. The people charged officers Richard Ewing, David Sistak and Michael Saldute with racial profiling, assault and battery, false arrest and perjury, and demanded that Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala do his job and bring them to trial.

This is the fourth consecutive week of protest since the Department of Justice issued a report failing to prosecute the three police officers on federal civil rights violations. The officers are back on the beat, but not for long if the coalition of groups and like-minded people demanding justice stays strong and stands shoulder to shoulder.

For more information visit www.justiceforjordanmiles.com.