Memorial site of where Sandra Bland was pulled over on July 10, 2015
It’s been a year since the death of Sandra Bland. The then 28-year-old died while in police custody in a Waller County Texas jail. Bland while visiting Texas from Chicago was pulled over by Texas state trooper over a minor traffic offense. The cop, who was white, sparked nationwide controversy when he became belligerent and heated with Bland as he tried to apprehend her from her vehicle. A police dash cam video showed the incident in full and revealed the officers words to Bland: “I will light you up.”
Bland stated on video how she couldn’t wait to take the officer to court but never got the opportunity to see justice served. Bland she was found dead in her jail cell three days later, sparking the Justice for Sandy hashtag #sayhername movement. While Sandra Bland may not have lived to see justice served in her case, the Bland family has fought tirelessly since July 13, 2015.
Per TIME magazine via Yahoo news, the Bland family finally received the justice they had been seeking by reaching a 1.9 million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the Waller County Jail system. Bland’s mother Geneva Reed-Veal had this to say concerning the outcome:
“Today is a victory for all mothers across the country,” she told the AP. “It was never just about Sandy. It was about all mothers who have lost their children unjustly to police brutality, to senseless gun violence.”
But this isn’t just a money settlement for Bland’s family. The settlement has come with quite a few requirements. The new jail requirements calls for the installation of electronic sensors to ensure guards are checking on detainees and the defendants agree to help push for statewide legislation in Bland’s name that would require training to ensure jail personnel are properly caring for inmates. It also requires that the jail have a nurse or emergency medical technician on duty 24 hours a day.
Bland’s mother stated that while receiving monetary benefits in her daughter’s death is good, having those requirements in place are what really matters to her and vowed to make sure they are carried out.
Waller County attorney’s Larry Simmons stated that “the settlement is not final” as both he and the Bland’s attorney are working together to complete final details within the settlement. This case is not only causing the Waller County Jail to make changes but may also cause changes to the county’s liability insurance which may increase to an $1000 deductible.
Hopefully Sandra Bland can now truly rest in peace, knowing that justice in her case is being served.
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