Rally held in Seattle demanding justice for Jhanvi Kandula, MPs demand investigation
In a unanimous resolution, the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) called on all concerned authorities to prioritize investigation and community engagement and respect the rights and dignity of all individuals and victims. NFIA has also praised India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu for strongly raising this issue at the highest level in Washington.
Over 200 people from different communities held a rally at the spot where Indian student Jhanvi Kandula was killed after being hit by a speeding police patrol car, demanding justice for Indian student Jhanvi Kandula and the resignation of two police officers posted in Seattle. It was done. Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, along with other lawmakers and community members in the US, have urged Seattle Police to seriously pursue the investigation into the tragic death of Indian student Jahnvi Kandula. Kandula (23) was hit by a police vehicle when she was crossing the road on January 23. The police vehicle was being driven by an officer named Kevin Dave.
He was driving at a speed of 74 mph (119 kph), violating the speed limit on a report of a drug overdose. Bodycam footage released Monday by the Seattle Police Department shows Officer Daniel Order laughing about the fatal crash, saying a criminal investigation is necessary. At the same time he seems to be dismissing the possibility of Dave’s mistake. More than 200 people gathered Thursday at the Seattle intersection where Kandula was fatally struck by an officer’s vehicle in January, the Seattle Times newspaper reported.
He demanded accountability of the officer who took the student’s life and a police union leader who made ridiculous statements about the accident (a statement some are calling ‘disgusting’). Participants at the South Lake Union rally demanded the resignation of the orderly as well as the resignation of Dave, the officer who crushed Kandula. The report said speakers at the rally criticized the police system, saying it is based on white supremacy and that it criminalizes and devalues the lives of black and other people of color.
The placards in the hands of people read, ‘Murderer policemen in jail’, ‘Justice for Jhanvi’, ‘End police terror’ etc. People living in nearby apartments also arrived to join the rally. Congressman Krishnamurthy on recording of Seattle police officer laughing over Jhanvi Kandula’s death “Jhanvi Kandula’s death was a terrible tragedy and no one should make fun of her death.” Krishnamurthy said Thursday, ”The recording of a Seattle police officer trivializing her death and questioning the value of her life is disgusting and unacceptable. I urge the Seattle Police Department to treat this investigation with the seriousness it demands.
In the video, Daniel Orderer, whose statement about the accident was recorded on camera, can be heard saying, “Yeah, just write a check.” US$11,000. She was 26 years old anyway, her value was limited.” Indian-American Congress member Pramila Jayapal has strongly condemned the incident. Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant has called for an independent elected community watchdog with full powers over the police after the incident. Council member Tammy J. Morales (District 2- South Seattle) is calling on Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz to take immediate action after the video surfaced.
In a unanimous resolution, the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) called on all concerned authorities to prioritize investigation and community engagement and respect the rights and dignity of all individuals and victims. NFIA has also praised India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu for strongly raising this issue at the highest level in Washington.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
