TAKE ACTION for Saniyah Cheatham. This family deserves the truth.

SIGN ON: Saniyah’s mother deserves the truth and transparency from NYPD

No mother or parent should have to face the pain of burying their own child! We stand with the mother and family of 18-year-old Saniyah Cheatham and call on the NYPD to immediately release any and all footage and reports related to her death in custody.

On July 4th, Saniyah attended a joyful family barbeque in Crotona Park, Bronx, NY. Like most people on the holiday, she spent the afternoon laughing, dancing, just hanging out and surrounded by her loved ones. A few hours into the evening, Saniyah allegedly got into a physical altercation with her friend which escalated to the police getting involved and eventually led to her arrest. She was placed in a holding cell at the 41st Precinct and only a few hours later, around midnight, Saniyah was found lying in the cell unconscious.

Since then, the NYPD has not released any surveillance footage of the arrest, explanation of how this happened or autopsy report. The only thing they have claimed is that Saniyah died by suicide but according to her mother, Saniyah showed no signs of suicidal thoughts before or during the arrest.

Right now, Saniyah’s family is not only heartbroken by her passing but also have been completely left in the dark about what exactly happened to her. They’ve been given no real answers, no transparency and zero accountability for the officers involved in Saniyah’s arrest. This isn’t right!

We are demanding answers. Alongside organizing groups: Until Freedom, Justice League and Communities United for Police Reform, we call on the NYPD to release the autopsy report, body cam footage and precinct surveillance, IMMEDIATELY.

Dear NYPD Police Commissioner, Jessica S. Tisch:

It’s been over 10 days since the passing of Saniyah Cheatham, the 18-year-old Bronx Community College student who was found unconscious in a holding cell at the 41st Precinct. Saniyah’s family have been given no real answers, no transparency and zero accountability for the officers involved in her arrest.

Saniyah was arrested on July 4th after allegedly getting into an altercation with a friend after a family gathering in Crotona Park. Around midnight, officers found Saniyah unresponsive in the cell. The NYPD officers involved claimed that Saniyah took her own life. The Cheatham family has publicly stated that they do not believe Saniyah committed suicide and says she showed no signs of mental health issues at the time of her arrest.

The NYPD has offered no surveillance footage of the arrest, explanation of how this happened or full autopsy report. We are calling on you to release any footage, showing every moment that led to Saniyah being found unresponsive, a full and transparent investigation and accountability from the NYPD and all of the officers involved.

Saniyah Cheatham was left vulnerable, in an unprotected place, completely isolated and has passed away in the hands of those who have sworn to protect. She should still be here with us. Her family deserves the truth.

Thank you,

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