On May 1, an all-white jury let off the hook two Pennsylvania teenagers who murdered Luis Ramirez, 25, last summer. After a night of drinking, a group of white teenagers provoked a fight with Ramirez, a Mexican immigrant, by calling him racist names as he was walking down the street. Ramirez had immigrated to Shenandoah, Pennsylvania to be together with his wife and children.
After punching Ramirez, Brandon Pierkarsky, 17, reportedly gave him a kick to the head while he was on the ground. Ramirez was left convulsing in the street, foaming at the mouth, and died two days later in the hospital.
Pierkarsky and Derrick Donchack, 19, admitted to being involved in the fight, but the jury claimed there was not enough evidence to determine who had provided the fatal blows. The two were only convicted of simple assault. As they left the court, supporters of the racist murderers cheered. Ramirez’s only supporter in the courtroom was his widow.
Despite all the talk about the “completion” of the civil rights movement, Jim Crow is clearly still alive and well in the Pennsylvania courts. Luis Ramirez’s killers have been let off the hook like Emmett Till’s killers were set free 54 years ago.
Demand justice for Luis Ramirez and new federal murder charges for this hate crime. Since the government stands by and does nothing to stop rising racist violence, the people most organize militant self-defense.
