‘Not acceptable at all’: US mayor’s apology after cop mocks Indian scholar’s loss of life

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has apologised for the tragic loss of life of Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian scholar who was fatally struck by a dashing police patrol automotive. The incident, which occurred in January this 12 months, has sparked widespread outrage and criticism, notably following the discharge of a video capturing a police officer’s remarks after the incident.

Harrell’s apology got here throughout a closed assembly with leaders from the Seattle space’s South Asian immigrant neighborhood on Saturday.

“The mayor took full responsibility and apologised for the incident, the release of the video, the words that came out, and completely acknowledged that it was not acceptable at all, that human life has to be respected,” Preeti Shridhar, an Indian-American community advocate who attended the meeting, told the Seattle Times.

Kandula, a 23-year-old master’s student at Northeastern University in Seattle, was crossing a street when she was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at a speed of more than 119 kilometres to respond to an overdose call. The subsequent release of bodycam footage showed another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and making insensitive comments about the student’s death.

In his defence, Auderer laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents were litigated and the ridiculousness of how he had watched these incidents played out.

The meeting between the South Asian immigrant community and Seattle Mayor Harrell, which lasted for one and a half hours, saw about 20 supporters entering City Hall to discuss Kandula’s death and the subsequent handling of the case. The attendees expressed their concerns and demanded accountability for the incident.

According to community leaders, Harrell listened attentively and showed empathy throughout the discussion.

In addition to the meeting, more than 100 members of the South Asian community held a rally at the site where Kandula was struck and killed. Holding signs that read “Jaahnavi had extra worth than SPD” and “Justice for Jaahnavi, jail killer cops,” the protesters demanded justice for the sufferer and known as for reforms in police coaching and recruitment.

Meanwhile, the Northeastern University, the place Kandula studied, would award her diploma posthumously and current it to her household.

Edited By:

Devika Bhattacharya

Published On:

Sep 17, 2023