Earlier this morning Prosecutors declared the death of Freddie Gray as a homicide and issued an arrest warrant for the six Baltimore Police officers involved in his arrest. By no means has justice being achieved, but we are on the right path. These officers should be convicted and the system needs to be reformed. #OneStepCloser #BlackLivesMatter #SayNoToRacism #JusticForGray #JusticeForAll
Author: ronak_chokhani
Freddie Gray: Van Made Another Stop!
Police reports of complete and detailed investigation regarding Freddie Gray’s death shows another stop made by the van during his 45 minute deadly ride. Video footage from a bystanders camera indicated that the van made a stop at a small Korean food shop. The owner of the store, Jung Hyun Hwang, said that police officers approached him last week and asked for the copy of the CCTV camera of his store. He said he has no idea what was on the video and why they wanted it. Unfortunately, Hwang’s copy of the video was destroyed when his store looted during the protest. This raises so many more questions and concerns about the intent of Baltimore PD and the reason for the stop. Why did they not disclose this stop in the initial investigation? An answer which we will never get perhaps. How long will this extensive use of force and racial profiling continue? #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGray #HandsUpDontShoot
Clinton 2016!
I am sure you wish Bill Clinton could be president again, but hey Hillary Clinton shouldn’t be far off? The charm of Clinton politics and the tremendous agendas his presidential office established was nothing but remarkable. With the past Clinton Administrations accomplishment in her bag along with the experience she has gained since her last campaign, On April 11, 2015 Hillary Clinton announced that she would be running for the Presidents office for the second time as a democratic nominee. During her speech Clinton explained that she regrets not connecting with the people last time and that she was overconfident when it came to winning the Democratic ticket. Last elections, Clinton assumed that she would win the primaries and represent the democratic party, but alas her high hopes were foiled. This time Clinton promises a completely different approach to her campaign. Clinton emphasized that she wants to get the know the people better so she can better understand their needs and find more applicable solutions to their issues. Acting on her words Clinton has already implemented two specific campaign strategies to help develop better relation between her and the people of America. First, Clinton used the strategy of a 1000 mile road trip from New York to her first campaign speech in Iowa to meet everyday people. She made frequent stops are restaurants, gas stations, and stores along the way meeting and greeting people with the sole intention of making herself a familiar smiling face among average everyday Americans. Second, she has initiated a program called “Ramp Up Grassroots Organizing Programs” which will have paid staffers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories till the end of may. These staffers will work closely with local volunteers to organize campaign events, local meetings. volunteer training, and various other events focused on creating bonds with the people, understanding their issues, and implementing effective solutions. She truly focused on small rural areas and visited community colleges in order to get know her country and its people better. If she wins, hopefully she brings back the charm of Clinton politics with her.
Prayers for Nepal
On April 25, 2015, Kathmandu, Nepal was struck with a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake which ruined thousands of lives and sent aftershocks throughout the continent, especially in the Himalaya’s, China, Northern India as far as New Delhi. Here is a link to some footage of the earthquake: http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/apr/30/nepal-earthquake-kathmandu-cctv-video I must warn the content is very graphic. So far over 5800 people have been confirmed dead and over 9200 injured just in Nepal due the the earthquake. At least 69 were killed in India, 25 in china, and few in Bangladesh as well. . Aftershocks of the earthquake also caused a massive avalanche on Mt.Everest taking lives of at least 18 and several injured. The areas most heavily affected by the earthquake (Kathmandu Valluy) has over 2.5 million people. Authorities say that there are not nearly enough people and resources to be able to conduct effective and fast paced search and rescue even though various organizations and nations have rushed to help. There are reports of several alive person being pulled out of the rubble after several days including a woman who was trapped for 5 days and a toddler who was buried for at least 3 days. We can only imagine what the total death toll could be due this horrific natural disaster. We cannot help but keep Nepal and all the people affected by this tragedy in our minds, hearts, and prayers as the global community joins forces to rebuild the country and give people back their lives.
Countless lives lost, homes destroyed, people injured, but how can you help? Donations are a perfect place to start. Nepal and all organizations helping the country all have resource constraints and every cent and dollar you donate will go a very long way in improving countless lives. Here is a guide on how you can donate wisely and effectively- http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2015/04/28/402842890/what-you-need-to-know-before-donating-to-earthquake-relief-for-nepal
Here is also a list of all the current organizations that are accepting donations for Nepal- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/world/asia/where-to-donate-for-nepal.html
It is in these times of crises when countries and people turn to their global community for help, guidance, and strength to get through the suffering that we can only imagine. Tragedies like these can occur anytime, anywhere, but it is up to the global community to minimize the impact it has on our fellow human beings. Empathize with the people of Nepal, pray for Nepal, donate for Nepal.
Welcome To The World Of Augmented Reality
Thanks to Microsoft and its billions of dollars of research Microsoft HoloLens is now a reality. HoloLens is a sleek helmet/glass device that clips on to the users forehead and it has a visor that can be adjusted according to the eye level. HoloLens are glasses that make augmented reality and holograms a complete possibility. Once the user has HoloLens on the world around them instantly changes. It becomes more interactive and can create almost any surrounding from the surface of mars to playing inside a video game. The glasses create illusory objects around the wearer that can be touched using a holographic field and high powered lenses. The reviewers described all the objects around them being in a tunnel vision. To some people it felt like they were watching a high resolution tiny screen from really far away but the object was within their reach. Refined versions of this technology can take the field of gaming to a whole different level, but could also have applications in other fields like medicine, architecture etc. It is truly ground breaking technology that more people need to know about and hopefully gets optimized in our everyday lives. Here is a video of how HoloLens works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRQv74J7oSk.
Here is the video of Microsoft’s Live Demonstration of HoloLens- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6sL_5Wgvrg (7:20 has the demonstration, but I highly recommend watching the whole video because its a truly fascinating invention.
No Relief For Nepal- Another Disaster Strikes
Amidst all the suffering and recovery from the earthquake, Nepal suffered another natural disaster that took the lives of over 200 people. On April 28, 2015 around 4pm at the Langtang National Park a huge landslide swept over 200 hikers off the side of the mountain. Authorities say they haven’t been able to confirm the fate of the 200 people because all their resources are being used by earthquake rescue operations. Authorities have sent search parties along the mountain but limited availability of personnel has really hindered their ability to cope with yet another tragedy. We can only hope Nepal continuous to receive more aid and donations from around the world as they attempt to rebuild their homes. I hope you find a way to support the victims and their families. Please keep them in your prayers. #DonateForNepal #PrayForNepal #EmpathizeWithNepal
Baltimore Activism #BlackLivesMatter
Protests and unrest in Baltimore began after the death of Freddie Gray who was unarmed and violently arrested by Baltimore Police Department on the morning of April 12, 2015 after a foot chase and authorities claimed to find a switchblade in his pocket. Within forty-five minutes after the arrest, before Gray was even processed, he had to be hospitalized due “serious medical distress” caused by the Baltimore Police Department. Here is a link to the videos that capture Gray’s violent arrest, but I must warn you the videos are very graphic and his suffering is very apparent (http://heavy.com/news/2015/04/freddie-gray-arrest-videos-cell-phone-witnesses-bystanders-spinal-injury-baltimore-police-brutality-death/). According to reports and the video Gray was arrested and put into the back of a police van, which then proceeded to drive ferociously, making sharp turns, sudden stops etc. around the city for 45 minutes. During this time Freddie Gray was left to bounce around the van with cuffed hands and legs (at least one appears to be broken in the video). We can only imagine the suffering and pain Gray went through as his head and rest of his body was smashed against one side of the car to the other. By the end of the ride Freddie gray had suffered a severed spinal cord (broken neck), which would be the cause of his death a week later in a Baltimore Hospital. Here is a link to an article that maps Gray’s van ride through the streets of Baltimore (http://mashable.com/2015/04/30/freddie-gray-police-custody/). After Gray’s death thousands of protesters took over the streets of Baltimore to continue their fight against police brutality and structural inequality, especially against African American population using their powerful slogan #BlackLivesMatter. According to the police investigation Gray had not sustained any injuries or was not in distress at all before being put in the van, but videos and eyewitnesses claim he asked for his Asthma Pump several times as well as other medical help but he was ignored and the officers instead requested a van. The report also claims that Gray asked for medical help several times in the van but was ignored while the van continued to drive around the city for forty five minutes and by the time it reached the police department Gray was unconscious and not breathing. In a letter written by a Baltimore police investigator, the man who was transported in the van with Gray separated by a solid black partition claims that it sounded like Gray was trying to injure himself. He heard Gray’s body smashing against the side of the car, but was unaware that both his hands and legs were cuffed. The Baltimore Police Department has identified and suspended six officers with pay until further notice.
But Who was Freddie Gray? Why was he arrested? Why are there protests because of his death?
Who was Freddie gray?
Freddie Gray was a 25-Year Baltimore Resident and went by the nickname “Pepper.” He grew up in the impoverished Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood on Baltimore’s west side. His friends describe him as loyal, warm, humorous, and happy. Gray had several encounter with the law enforcement as his record shows he was arrested more than a dozen times. But, does getting arrested mean one should lose his life? There is very little written and known about Gray himself, but the mystery surrounding his death has sparked a national outrage.
Why Was he Arrested?
on April 12, Gray and another unidentified man were walking on the side walks if West Baltimore when they locked eyes with three officers and started running away. Officers immediately chased Gray, tasered and tackled him to the ground before arresting him. It is unclear why he was chased, tackled, or arrested. Officers reportedly found a switchblade in his pocket.
Why are there protests because of his deaths?
Freddie Gray’s death is just one in the chain of several that have brought police brutality and inequality to light. His death just like several others (Eric Garner, Michael Brown, etc) continues to show the injustices, xenophobia, and unnecessary force commonly used by the police to take lives of unarmed men especially targeting and profiling against African Americans. The first night of Baltimore protests have inspired thousands across the nation to stand-up for equality and justice for Gray and all the victims. Over 8 major cities including New York City were covered with thousands of protesters showing their support for the people of Baltimore and everyone involved in this struggle. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForFreddieGray #Coexist