Bring justice to Denver Petition

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Sign the Petition Calling for a Federal Investigation, NOW!!!!

The Colorado Progressive Coalition, along with individuals and family members of those brutally assaulted by police officers in three high-profile cases, are launching a nationwide petition to convince the U.S. Department of Justice to begin an investigation into Denver’s loss of institutional control of its law enforcement system. Concerned by the recent decision by the Civil Service Commission Board to put officers fired for dishonesty in reporting their violent actions at the Denver Diner back on the streets, and history of decisions that have reinstated violent officers, CPC is asking the federal government to honor the calls of former Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal and the ACLU to begin an investigation into a “culture of silence” that has allowed violent and often discriminatory actions by officers to go unpunished. See the newest case of police violence to be brushed aside by the Civil Service Commission here!!! Then sign the petition!!!

 Click below to sign the petition!!!

Denver is known through out the country for its violent police force -- a belief that was only strengthened after 2009 when multiple cases of police violence involving the use of racist and homophobic slurs occured. While the city responded to public outcry to fire some officers involved in the cases, due to a multiplicity of job protections put in place to help officers to retain their jobs, many have been reinstated through the rulings of the Denver Civil Service Commission.

About the video and Denver's history of violence

For many of you the story of Denver's law enforcement violence is not well known. Since 2009 a number of cases of violence have occured, spurring resident protests and bringing us to this point of action.

On January 15th, 2009, Alex Landau received a late night call from a friend who had been drinking.  His friend needed a ride home and Alex, always willing to help, agreed to pick him up.  Little did he know that this decision would drastically alter the course of his young life.

Driving down Colfax Avenue, Alex made a left hand turn to pickup some burgers at a drive through.  He was then pulled over for making an allegedly illegal left turn, though no signs exist on the road prohibiting such a turn.  Alex and his passenger were asked to step out of the car, shortly after which, Alex’s friend handed over a small amount of marijuana to the officer.  The officer later went to search the trunk.  After Alex asked for a warrant, he was beaten into unconsciousness by officers Ricky Nixon, Randy Murr, and Tiffany Middleton with fists, flashlights and walkie talkies.  His severe injuries included a broken nose, a concussion, and wounds that required 45 stitches.

The brutal assault on Alex Landau is just one of many incidents that speak to a Denver law enforcement system that has gone terribly wrong, and city that has completely lost institutional control over officer discipline.  Over three years later, none of the officers in this brutal beating have faced discipline from the city.  To make matters worse, two of the officers involved in the beating went on to assault other people in the community.  Randy Murr was involved in yet another brutal attack on Michael DeHerrera and Shawn Johnson in downtown Denver less than 90 days after his assault on Alex Landau.  Ricky Nixon acted with more restraint.  He waited 6 months before he beat and maced a group of young women at the Denver Diner, a local establishment where he was working off duty.  Thank you for taking a moment to watch this video with interviews with Alex Landau, Anthony & Denise DeHerrera, and Miriam Peña.