|
Haitian immigrant makes first appearance since alleged beating
October 29, 1997
Web posted at: 5:31 a.m. EST (1031 GMT)From Correspondent Peg Tyre
NEW YORK (CNN) -- In an atmosphere somewhere between a prayer service, political rally and a fund-raiser, Abner Louima made a rare public appearance Tuesday.
"Thanks first to almighty God for sparing my life and giving me the opportunity to be with you tonight," Louima said.
Louima has become, for many, a symbol of police brutality.
He said Brooklyn police officers jammed a toilet plunger into his rectum and mouth on August 9, after he was arrested on a disorderly conduct charges. The charges against him were later dropped. Louima spent two months in the hospital.
Abner Louima speaks at the House of Justice
(2 minutes, 52 seconds)Flanked by activist Al Sharpton on one side and his lawyer Johnnie Cochran on the other, Louima appeared frail and spoke quietly.
"I want to thank all of you for all your prayers for my speedy recovery," he told the crowd of about 300 at the headquarters of the National Action Network. He also thanked the media for "getting the word out."
Attorney Carl Thomas told the Associated Press Louima was in a great deal of pain at the rally. Louima wanted the dental procedure done without anesthesia because so he could be clear-headed for his remarks.
Louima is still suffering from colon and tooth damage and has lost 45 pounds since the attack, Thomas said.
Case highlighted tensions
The attack on Louima, a black Haitian immigrant, brought to light tensions between police and minorities. Frequent street demonstrations have demanded a thorough investigation of the incident, some demanding that the 70th precinct be closed down.
Samuel Nicolas, Louima's cousin and his family's spokesman, says that the family's lives have been changed and their eyes opened.
"We don't feel that we're treated the same way," Nicolas says. "There is an inequity there in the way the police treat us, treat our communities, and the way the way the police treat other communities."
Investigation, lawsuit continue
Four officers in the New York Police Department face state charges: Thomas Bruder and Thomas Wiese for beating Louima, and Justin Volpe and Charles Schwarz for beating and sodomizing him, allegedly with the wooden handle of a bathroom plunger.
Sources say the U.S. Attorney hopes to finish presenting its case to a grand jury for possible federal charges within a month.
In addition to the criminal investigation, Louima has assembled an impressive legal team. Cochran, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld -- all members of the O.J. Simpson defense team -- are among the lawyers who will represent Louima in a reported $400 million civil suit.
"You watch us, you keep us in your thoughts as we go along," Cochran told Tuesday's rally. "We're going to do our best to ensure that there is justice for Abner Louima."
Related stories:
- Officers plead innocent to bias charge in torture case - September 8, 1997
- New York rally to protest police brutality - August 29, 1997
- Many question the value of NYC 'police panel' - August 28, 1997
- Doctors downplay comments by Louima's lawyers - August 28, 1997
- Police brutality case has New York's mayor on the defensive - August 26, 1997
- Haitians, demanding justice, rally in New York - August 23, 1997
Related site:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser windowExternal sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
|
Sound off on our message boards You said it... |
|
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.