This is serious. Happened today in Manhattan. As a public defender for over a decade, I have tried cases where the Manhattan DA uses a "hysterical 911 call" as categorical evidence of guilt. Usually there's no video like this to refute it. (1/4) https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920

What happens: White lady calls the cops on Black man. Cops believe her. He gets arrested and then arraigned. Outrageous bail gets set. His family cannot afford to buy his freedom. He gets sent to Rikers Island, where he sits for any number of days, months, or years. (2/4)

Eventually the case resolves in some way--gets dismissed or he takes a plea to the charge or a lesser offense to get out because he's threatened with doing serious time. Meanwhile, he's potentially lost his job, his home, his children. Right now, it is even worse. (3/4)

People are sitting on Rikers Island on the basis of nothing more than an accusation (like in this video!) with the added risk of contracting COVID-19. So, we can call out these “Karens," but also we need a Manhattan DA who is committed to real reform. I will be that DA. (4/4)

If you’d like to get involved and change the Manhattan DA, for safer and fairer Manhattan, check us out at http://ElizaOrlins.com .
(5/4)

Thanks to @washingtonpost for publishing: "The system isn’t broken." I’ve represented thousands of New Yorkers in court. The system IS working. The way it was designed—to protect the wealthy, connected, & white, while disenfranchising communities of color. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/im-a-public-defender-in-manhattan-the-central-park-video-is-all-too-familiar/2020/05/26/73c3de60-9f99-11ea-81bb-c2f70f01034b_story.html

Follow up from her arraignment: https://twitter.com/elizaorlins/status/1316402269924057089?s=20