Elijah McClain
On August 24, 2019, Elijah McClain (23), a citizen of Aurora, Colorado and one of the most kindhearted and generous souls, was killed as a result of police brutality and systemic racism. Unfortunately, not many have heard his name until now. Along with many others, Elijah's truly undeserved death surfaced recently as a result of the national protests regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and the light that has finally been shone on systemic racism in our country's law enforcement system. As reform was called for across the nation, many previously dismissed cases involving the police have been brought up, and people are finally demanding justice for those such as Elijah who should be here with us today.
Around 10 pm on August 24th, Elijah wore a ski mask for warmth because of his anemia while walking to a convenience store to buy beverages. While he was walking to the store, someone called 911 to report a suspicious person, mentioning that Elijah was not armed and that no one was in danger. When three officers (Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema) stopped Elijah on his way home, Elijah politely responded, letting them know that he had a right to go where he was going before being grabbed and later thrown to the ground. As Elijah repeatedly asked them to let go and respect his boundaries while explaining where he was going, the officers threw him to the ground right after Elijah pleaded, "I'm just going home. I'm just going home. I'm an introvert. Please respect my boundaries...". The officers ignored him and continued to pin him down as Elijah offered his name and ID before crying for help, saying that he couldn't breathe when the officers began to use a carotid chokehold to prevent blood flow to his brain. After a few minutes, Elijah vomited and when more officers and EMTs arrived on the scene, the officers began to adjust their body cameras to avoid recording their usage of unnecessary force. EMTs injected Elijah with 500 milligrams of ketamine, a sedative that provides pain relief and potential memory loss, even though a normal dosage for surgical anesthesia would be 9-13 milligrams. After being injected, Elijah was driven to the hospital where he had a heart attack in the ambulance and stayed on life support for three days before being taken off. To this day, the true cause of Elijah's death is still unknown to the public.
Elijah's case is one that truly proves the corruption in our country's law enforcement. His last words are ones that will never be forgotten because of how compassionate, kind, and forgiving they were despite the fact that he was suffering at the hands of officers who never deserved his compassion, kindness, and forgiveness: "I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That's my house. I was just going home. I'm an introvert. I'm just different. That's all. I'm so sorry. I have no gun. I don't do that stuff. I don't do any fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don't even kill flies! I don't eat meat! But I don't judge people, I don't judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying to do was become better. I will do it. I will do anything. Sacrifice my identity, I'll do it. You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful and I love you. Try to forgive me. I'm a mood Gemini. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You are all very strong. Teamwork makes the dream work. Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't trying to do that. I just can't breathe correctly".
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That's my house. I was just going home. I'm an introvert. I'm just different. That's all. I'm so sorry. I have no gun."
As of today, the three officers (Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema) that killed Elijah walk free. They were all previously put on administrative leave before returning to their jobs, but they have all been recently fired (as of 7/4/20). A new prosecutor has been assigned to look into Elijah's case after the nation's cry for justice.
There is no doubt that the officers who killed Elijah were racially motivated. Previously in 2012, the exact same Aurora police department arrested James Holmes, a white man who killed twelve people, without leaving a scratch. Elijah was unarmed and did not pose a threat to the three officers who apprehended him. Even the caller who contacted 911 claimed that no one was in danger and that he was unarmed.
Elijah McClain was a gentle and caring person who forgave those who ended his life during his last conscious moments. Throughout his life, he was an introvert who expressed himself through his love for art, the violin in particular. His mother, Sheneen McClain, said, "It was amazing to see him so enchanted with his own skill, and we were all enchanted, too". Elijah worked as a massage therapist for several years and was making plans to attend college. He even played the violin for stray cats. His kind deeds and gentle spirit are being recently honored as they should have been in August, and Elijah's name is being called out in numerous protests throughout the entire nation. Multiple violin vigils in Aurora, New York City, Portland, and many other cities, are being held in remembrance of Elijah and the light he brought to this world. Many members of Elijah's family are thankful for the support, although they wish that his death had been brought to light sooner.
"It was amazing to see [Elijah] so enchanted with his own skill, and we were all enchanted too."
Elijah's death has proven that not even the largest amount of compassion and love can prevent a police officer from using their undeserved power to take a life away. The very same people who have sworn to protect their country and their people are the same ones who work for a system that refuses to punish those who take innocent lives without hesitation or acknowledge the systemic racism that is rooted in the system that has brought an end to so many black lives. For the sake of Elijah McClain and his family, please sign the following petition to demand justice, and remember him for exactly who he was: a compassionate, sympathetic, and benevolent man who turned to forgiveness in the final minutes of his life.
Author: Annie Qu
Contact thettsproject@gmail.com to report misinformation, bias, etc.
Donation Links and Petitions:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/elijah-mcclain (all funds go to Sheneen McClain, Elijah's mother)
Resources
https://abcnews.go.com/US/happened-elijah-mcclain-protests-bring-attention-death/story?id=71523476
https://www.rxlist.com/ketamine-hydrochloride-drug.htm#dosage
https://www.nytimes.com/article/who-was-elijah-mcclain.html
https://www.5280.com/2020/06/elijah-mcclain-remembered-with-violin-strains-pepper-spray/