On Oct. 22, allies, families and friends of the victims of police brutality gathered in a torrential downpour in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood for a rally and march. Part of the national Oct. 22 day of action against police brutality, the event brought together a diverse group of anti-repression activists and many devastated and now activated individuals who have suffered the loss of a loved one at the hands of local police.
Liberation News had the opportunity to speak with Robin Lininger-Hoffman and Chanda Rhoades, both friends of Ron Hillstrom who was killed by Pierce County police near Tacoma Wa. on May 11 of this year. Hillstrom’s sister has been making buttons with his image; Robin was distributing the buttons to those at the rally. When Liberation explained that we had already written an article about Hillstrom being killed by police, Robin was interested to learn more and introduced this reporter to Chanda, another close friend of Hillstrom.
When asked for an update on the search for justice for Hillstrom, they explained that his family is pursuing a legal case against Pierce County; they are hoping that any additional witnesses to Hillstrom’s brutal death will come forward. As it stands, numerous witnesses are holding strong in their description of the officers’ deadly actions. Apparently, after killing Hillstrom, the police intimidated some witnesses into erasing their cell phone videos; nonetheless, videos became public. Now the officers responsible are on paid leave while Chanda, Robin and the rest of Hillstrom’s family are left to fight for justice.
As is typical in cases of this kind, the police and media have engaged in a posthumous character assassination of the deceased, bringing up Hillstrom’s arrest record. These facts are irrelevant. Every life is valuable; police do not have the right to act as judge, jury and executioner. A unified movement against police brutality has the power to hold the cops accountable for their crimes.
