<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Don't ignore this e-mail/ at least sign the petition </TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<FONT SIZE="6"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:22.0px'><B>Don’t desensitize at least sign the petition it took me less then a minute<BR>
<BR>
<FONT COLOR="#800000">*reminder 100 centre st. 15th floor also June 14 9:30am if you plan to support the young lesbians who will be sentenced<BR>
</FONT></B></SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><BR>
<B>Subject: </B>Justice for Erika Keels: addressing violence agnst trans youth<BR>
<BR>
Our efforts to demand justice for Erika are part of building a larger strategy to address state violence against trans people (especially youth) of color in Philadelphia.<BR>
<BR>
Those who can't be in Philly for the demo, please scroll down for other ways you can help (petition/ organizational sponsorship) <BR>
<BR>
</SPAN><FONT SIZE="6"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:22.0px'><B>Justice for Erika Keels Demonstration:<BR>
Thursday, June 14th, 2007 @ Noon<BR>
6th and Arch Streets<BR>
</B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><BR>
go to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/justice4erika">http://www.myspace.com/justice4erika</a> to add Justice 4 Erika as your myspace friend.<BR>
<BR>
also, come to our next general meeting on Friday, June 8, at 4pm, at 1233 Locust St (Philadelphia).<BR>
<BR>
background info and other ways to get involved:<BR>
<BR>
[please forward widely!]<BR>
<BR>
You may have heard about the recent death of Erika Keels, a young transwoman of color in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Department has refused to conduct an investigation into her death. Friends, community members, and allies are rallying in Philadelphia to demand that the Philadelphia Police Department reopen Erika's case, giving a thorough investigation of the events leading to Erika's death.<BR>
<BR>
We are seeking endorsements and support from allied community organizations and community members. Where the PPD is telling us that Erika's life was expendable, that we are "making something out of nothing," we want to show the massive support for Erika and for young trans and gender-variant people of color that exists in our<BR>
communities.<BR>
<BR>
Justice for Erika Keels Demonstration:<BR>
Thursday, June 14th, 2007 @ Noon<BR>
6th and Arch Streets<BR>
<BR>
Background information:<BR>
On March 22, unnamed witnesses saw an assailant intentionally run over Erika Keels four times after ejecting her from his car at Broad and Thompson streets in North Philadelphia, killing her and leaving the scene. A medical examiner's report supports these eyewitness accounts. But police have ruled the death of this 20-year-old African American transwoman an accident and have refused to conduct an investigation. The driver, Roland Button, was later apprehended, but he has yet to face criminal charges—even "hit and run." When Ms. Keels' friends, who are themselves trans, questioned police officials about the classification of her death as an accident, they were asked to disclose their "birth" names and told they were "trying to make something out of nothing."<BR>
<BR>
We are asking for your support as Erika's friends, community member and allies, to demand a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Keels' death. Her case must be re-opened. Now and in the future, the police must follow their mandate to protect and serve all Philadelphians, including those targeted for hate because of their gender expression and identity. All levels of city government and administration must ensure that policy meant to protect human rights of people in this city is followed in letter and spirit.<BR>
<BR>
Things you can do:<BR>
<BR>
1. Sign our community support letter at <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/ErikaK/petition.html">http://www.petitiononline.com/ErikaK/petition.html</a> .<BR>
<BR>
2. Get organizations you're in or connected to sign on to the letter. (Organizations should email Justice4Erika@gmail.com to confirm their support.)<BR>
<BR>
3. Come to the demonstration on Thursday, June 14 at noon @ 6th and Arch in Center City Philadelphia.<BR>
<BR>
4. Sign up for email updates on the campaign (email Justice4Erika@gmail.com)<BR>
<BR>
5. Spread the word. Write letters to local newspapers. Ask everyone you know to sign on to the letter.<BR>
<BR>
6. Join our myspace page and post a bulletin to your friends. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/justice4erika">http://www.myspace.com/justice4erika</a> <BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>