Jaahnavi Kandula. Picture, A 23-year previous Indian pupil, who was hit by a police automobile in January this 12 months. Twitter
Demanding sensitivity, respect and jail for killer cops who have been chargeable for the killing of Indian pupil Jaahnavi Kandula, greater than 100 members of the South Asian group held a rally on the positioning the place she was struck and killed by a rushing police patrol automobile.
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police car pushed by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a avenue on 23 January. He was driving 74 mph (greater than 119 kmh) on the way in which to a report of a drug overdose name.
In bodycam footage launched on Monday by the Seattle Police Division, Officer Daniel Auderer laughed concerning the lethal crash and dismissed any implication Dave may be at fault or {that a} prison investigation was needed.
Over 100 members of the Seattle space’s South Asian group gathered at Denny Park on Saturday and made their method to the intersection the place Kandula was hit.
They held indicators saying Jaahnavi had extra worth than the Seattle Police Division and Justice for Jaahnavi, jail killer cops. The rally was put collectively by UTSAV, which implies competition or celebration, an organisation based mostly in Bothell that helps join South Asians with their communities.
We’re not a monolith, the Indian group, Consultant Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, mentioned to the group.
There’s diaspora in the neighborhood, however we’re all united at the moment.
Video from the evening of the crash has sparked worldwide outrage over the officer’s feedback.
On Saturday, rally attendees identified that Kandula’s life did have worth.
Shifali Jamwal, who introduced her 3-year-old son, mentioned Kandula was a grasp’s pupil and moved to America for her schooling so her life would have extra worth.
I can solely think about what Jaahnavi’s mother goes by, Jamwal mentioned.
One other attendee, Kyla Carrillo, 25, referred to as Auderer’s feedback utterly disrespectful.
Not even unbelievable, not stunning, however only for [him] to worth anyone’s life as such was disrespectful, she mentioned.
As individuals marched by the Dexter and Thomas crosswalk, one automobile continued shifting ahead, honking at protesters, regardless of a number of yield for pedestrian indicators.
Between lanes on the intersection, marchers lit tea lights spelling out Jaahnavi and laid bouquets beneath an indication.
Kandula was set to graduate this coming December with a grasp’s diploma in info techniques from the Seattle campus of Northeastern College. Her household mentioned she was working towards supporting her mom in India.
Saddened by Kandula’s loss of life, Kenneth W Henderson, Chancellor of Northeastern College in a press release issued on the varsity’s official Fb web page on Friday mentioned that.” Her loss can be felt deeply by college students, workers, and college. The college plans to award Jaahnavi her diploma posthumously and current it to her household.
Earlier Saturday, group members met with Seattle’s mayor and police chief concerning the discharge of the footage.
They mentioned they don’t endorse eliminating police, however that Seattle should enhance coaching, and keep engaged with the South Asian group. Statements by Mayor Bruce Harrell so far, that the offensive remarks characterize an remoted incident, don’t go far sufficient to cope with the system and police tradition, leaders mentioned.
Arun Sharma, founding father of UTSAV, mentioned the group plans to escalate motion if the Police Division doesn’t take motion towards Auderer and Dave.
Let’s not wait for one more main incident like this to wake us up, Sharma mentioned. Immigrants die by a thousand cuts.
Earlier than dispersing, protesters chanted “Who had unlimited value? Jaahnavi Kandula. Say her name. Jaahnavi Kandula.”