Official Statement Regarding the Sentencing of Peter Liang in the Killing of Akai Gurley - Apr. 26, 2016
We were saddened and outraged when we learned of the official sentencing of Peter Liang on April 19, 2016 for the killing of Akai Gurley. Judge Chun’s sentencing of five years probation and 800 hours of community service is a far cry from the justice that the Gurley family deserves to see. The Gurley family's resilient year-long push for justice was delegitimized as the conviction of 2nd degree manslaughter and official misconduct for shooting and failing to assist Mr. Gurley was significantly lessened. The community service hours that Mr. Liang will perform will never make up for the pain and suffering that the Gurley family has endured and will continue to live with. Judge Chun has contributed to yet another setback in the fight for police accountability. The opportunity to build momentum for true justice in cases of police brutality was effectively hindered by this sentencing.
The actions of Mr. Liang are indicative of systemic and structural violence that continues to destroy communities of color, especially black communities, in this country. Vertical patrols, Stop and Frisk, and a toxic police state by no means enable this country’s police to “serve and protect.” Some in the Chinese American community see Officer Liang as a scapegoat, but remember that “scapegoat” is only reserved for people who have not done anything wrong. In this incident, it is clear that Mr. Liang, along with Shaun Landau, Liang’s partner, was involved in a criminal act. Texting a Union representative instead of calling for help and overlooking CPR assistance are acts of criminal negligence committed by both officers present at the scene. Where was the regard for the life of Akai Gurley? When those in the Chinese American community call Liang a “scapegoat,” do they remember that someone’s life was taken in that stairwell? Remember the true victims in this case-- remember Akai Gurley, his family, his two daughters.
The anger that stems from the argument that white officers continue to escape indictment while Mr. Liang took the fall is misguided. Demonstrations should target institutions and individuals like Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, who failed to indict the officers who killed Eric Garner. When we look to fight against injustice, let’s look at the DA offices that allow officers to walk away with murder. We as an Asian American community must align ourselves with all communities of color in solidarity to fight the injustices so commonly occurring within the criminal justice system. We as a community must stand with Akai Gurley, on the side calling for true justice and police accountability.
We refuse to stand with a police officer who killed a man and then failed to call for medical assistance, simply because he is an Asian American. We stand in solidarity with communities of color for police accountability. We stand with Akai Gurley’s family, who continues to courageously speak out. We will continue to fight and call for justice.
