NAACP Calls for Federal Investigation into Use of Tasers

The Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP calls for a federal investigation into the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department’s use of tasers and into the deaths of three inmates who died while in custody over the past five months.

“There is a need for an independent investigation of a higher authority with subpoena powers in order to get to the bottom of why so many people are dying while in police custody. A due process should take place to hold offenders accountable, but it shouldn’t result in a death sentence before even making it to trial.  It raises grave concerns that all three died "after" being tasered,” stated Wendy Byrd, President of the Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP.

In light of the deaths in association with tasering, the NAACP will now file a formal complaint with the Department of Justice and the Stanislaus County Grand Jury to thoroughly investigate this matter.  The National Office of the NAACP has also developed a new Rapid Reporting System that allows citizens from any state to submit information directly to the national office.  Go to www.naacp.org for more information.

Source: Stop Taser Torture

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NOTE: Amnesty International says that between 2001 and August 2008, 334 Americans died after Taser shocks. The stun gun was deemed to have caused or contributed to at least 50 of those deaths, Amnesty says, citing medical examiners and coroners. Most suspects were unarmed, and many were subjected to repeated or prolonged shocks, according to Amnesty. The human rights group has called for governments to limit the use of stun guns or suspend their use. In November 2007, the UN Committee Against Torture released a statement saying “use of Taser X26 weapons, provoking extreme pain, constituted a form of torture, and… in certain cases, it could also cause death.”

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Don’t forget to support the petition to the United States Congress calling for public hearings on the systemic human rights violations occurring with Federal funding for the use of Tasers® against American citizens. The United Nation’s Committee against Torture has declared that Taser use can constitute a form of torture, while USA: Amnesty International has an on-going concern about the use of tasers on American citizens. More HERE

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