Saturday August 11, 2012 2pm
Columbus Park
Bayard and Mulberry Sts.
Lower Manhattan
Earlier this week, a jury of military personnel found Sgt. Adam Holcomb not guilty of the most serious charges stemming from the suicide of Pvt. Danny Chen last year in Afghanistan. and guilty of one count of assault and two counts of maltreatment of a subordinate, For this he was sentenced to one month in jail. The first of eight to be tried, the most serious charges of negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and hazing were dropped.
An African-American infantryman claimed that he too was abused by Sgt. Adam Holcomb, “He told me he would kill me, put me in a body bag and send me home,” testified Pvt. Marcus Merritt. He said the abuse he received from him before Chen arrived caused him to think seriously about committing suicide. Merritt’s father, Gregory Merritt, said. “My son was in the same boat.”
Pvt. Danny Chen, who, it has been concluded, committed suicide in Afghanistan last year, had been abused and taunted by his fellow soldiers and superior officers continuously for three months. This outrage must stop! Seven more trials are scheduled to start soon. They will probe the environment that permitted such treatment.
The community lead by OCA-NY (Organization of Chinese Americans has called for a public rally on Saturday, August 11 at 2 PM at Columbus Park in Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown. Asian American Arts Centre will be a co-sponsor, along with other diverse community organizations.
This is an opportunity join a community action that needs your support. The public and the military needs to see our determination for justice. Evidence demonstrating racial abuse cannot be minimized and hypothetically accounted for without making a travesty of justice. (See the links to articles below) This is an issue that addresses everyone, all people need to see a reversal of this tradition of military practice that permits and excuses hazing of every color.
For artists you are encouraged to create artwork, designs, songs or poems to mark this moment. Give form to the memory that will continue to impact the public for years to come.
In the trial for Sgt. Holcomb the defense used pictures of posters in last years rally in December trying to insinuate this public effort masked anti-military anti-government sentiments. In a court entirely composed of military personnel, this could hurt chances to get a meaningful outcome. Therefore we ask no posters that can be construed as masking anti-government sentiments will be permitted.
Please respond to this announcement if you intend to participate. The rally will protest the verdict and sentencing of the first of Danny’s superiors who was put on trial.