http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Lawsuit) en-us Wed, 08 May 2013 15:35:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-faces-legal-action-over-8000-haiti-cholera-deaths?start=0 The United Nations has 60 days to respond with compensation before being hauled to court by lawyers representing cholera victims in Haiti who have filed a complaint that the devastating disease was brought to the nation by UN workers stationed there in the wake of Haiti's 2010 earthquake. The UN hasn't admitted any culpability in the outbreak that killed some 8,000 Haitians and sickened 500,000, but health experts have linked the cholera strain to peacekeepers. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:35:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-faces-legal-action-over-8000-haiti-cholera-deaths Haiti, Cholera, United Nations, Health care, Lawsuit, Island country, Al Jazeera English The United Nations has 60 days to respond with compensation before being hauled to court by lawyers representing cholera victims in Haiti who have filed a complaint that the devastating disease was brought to thesmall nation by UN workers stationed there in the wake of Haiti's 2010 earthquake. The UN hasn't admitted any culpability in the outbreak that killed some 8,000 Haitians and sickened 500,000, but health experts have linked the cholera strain to peacekeepers. http://news.linktv.org/videos/nyc-sued-for-moving-to-boot-sandy-victims-from-hotels?start=0 New York City is being sued by some residents made temporarily homeless by superstorm Sandy after officials moved to eject them from hotels where they have been living. The city says it can no longer afford the hotel tab, but residents argue that the city hasn't done enough to help them find other housing. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:04:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/nyc-sued-for-moving-to-boot-sandy-victims-from-hotels Hurricane Sandy, New York City, Extreme weather, Lawsuit, Homelessness, Hotel, United States, The Wall Street Journal New York City is being sued by some residents made temporarily homeless by superstorm Sandy after officials moved to eject them from hotels where they have been living. The city says it can no longer afford the hotel tab, but residents argue that the city hasn't done enough to help them find other housing. http://news.linktv.org/videos/fed-suit-standard-poors-inflated-value-of-stumbling-mortgage-bonds?start=0 Standard and Poor's continued to give mortage-backed securities high marks, even though company analysts knew they were in trouble, stated Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West as he detailed allegations in a landmark Department of Justice fraud complaint against the rating agency. The feds are seeking $5 billion in damages for actions spurred by what officials say was a conflict of interest as S&P touted the toxic bonds to unsuspecting consumers. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:56:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/fed-suit-standard-poors-inflated-value-of-stumbling-mortgage-bonds Standard & Poor's, US Department of Justice, Lawsuit, Mortgage loan, United States Associate Attorney General, San Francisco, The Wall Street Journal Standard and Poor's continued to give mortage-backed securities high marks, even though company analysts knew they were in trouble, stated Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West as he detailed allegations in a landmark Department of Justice fraud complaint against the rating agency. The feds are seeking $5 billion in damages for actions spurred by what officials say was a conflict of interest as S&P touted the toxic bonds to unsuspecting consumers. http://news.linktv.org/videos/gays-launch-fraud-suit-over-conversion-therapy?start=0 Four gay men have filed a civil suit against a prominent New Jersey counseling group, charging it with deceptive practices under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act, for selling conversial "conversion therapy" to make them straight. They spent thousands of dollars on the unsuccessful therapy and were left "emotionally scarred," they argue in their suit. Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:24:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/gays-launch-fraud-suit-over-conversion-therapy Conversion therapy, Gay, Gay community, Fraud, Lawsuit, New Jersey, Associated Press Four gay men have filed a civil suit against a prominent New Jersey counseling group, charging it with deceptive practices under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act, for selling conversial "conversion therapy" to make them straight. They spent thousands of dollars on the unsuccessful therapy and were left "emotionally scarred," they argue in their suit. http://news.linktv.org/videos/samsung-wins-string-of-battles-in-apple-legal-war-linkasia?start=0 Samsung won several patent battles this past week in its long-running legal war with Apple. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on the latest in this international dispute between tech giants. Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:10:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/samsung-wins-string-of-battles-in-apple-legal-war-linkasia Apple Inc., Samsung, Patent, Lawsuit, South Korea, Copyright infringement, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Copyright, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Samsung won several patent battles this past week in its long-running legal war with Apple. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on the latest in this international dispute between tech giants. http://news.linktv.org/videos/south-korea-reacts-to-us-apple-samsung-ruling?start=0 South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on Apple's big win over Samsung in US courts, laying the blame on media bias and jurors' proximity to Apple headquarters. The ruling sets a precedent for the 30 cases in nine countries between these two companies in what MBC calls the "patent war of the century." Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:23:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/south-korea-reacts-to-us-apple-samsung-ruling Apple Inc., Samsung, Lawsuit, South Korea, iPhone, iPad, Media bias, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on Apple's big win over Samsung in US courts, laying the blame on media bias and jurors' proximity to Apple headquarters. The ruling sets a precedent for the 30 cases in nine countries between these two companies in what MBC calls the "patent war of the century." http://news.linktv.org/videos/israeli-court-clears-israeli-army-of-blame-in-rachel-corries-death?start=0 An Israeli court has ruled in a civil case that the Israel army was not at fault in the death of American activist Rachel Corrie nearly 10 years ago. Corrie was 23 years old when she was crushed by a bulldozer while protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes. Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:54:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/israeli-court-clears-israeli-army-of-blame-in-rachel-corries-death Rachel Corrie, International Solidarity Movement, House demolition in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Haifa, Lawsuit, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Demolition An Israeli court has ruled in a civil case that the Israel army was not at fault in the bulldozer death of American pro-Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie nearly 10 years ago. Corrie was 23 years old when she went to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip as part of a group of activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Al Jazeera's Cal Perry reports from Haifa. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-081512?start=704 There have been a number of lawsuits against the US government over illegal surveillance of American Muslims, but many have been thrown out in court due to the "state secrets" privilege. Press TV reports on the US government's treatment of Muslims. Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-081512 Syria, Syrian Civil War, Iran-Israel relations, Israel, Free Syrian Army, Ministry of Defense (Israel), Benjamin Netanyahu, Politics of Israel, Iran, Afghanistan-Pakistan border Since Washington declared its so-called "War on Terror" after the 2001 attack on the Twin Towers, there have been numerous cases of misconduct by US authorities undermining laws set forth by the American Constitution. The Muslim community in the US has been specifically targeted and discriminated against; American Muslims have been subjected to Islamophobia, illegal surveillance, and eavesdropping. There have been a number of lawsuits against the government over the ill treatment of Muslims in the US. Press TV takes a look at some of the lawsuits American Muslims have brought against the government that have been thrown out in court due to the "state secrets" privilege. http://news.linktv.org/videos/chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-loses-lawsuit-fighting-massive-tax-fine?start=0 A Beijing court has rejected dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's lawsuit against the tax bureau that imposed a massive fine against his company. Ai's lawyer said he'll file an appeal. Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-loses-lawsuit-fighting-massive-tax-fine Ai Weiwei, China, Tax avoidance and tax evasion, Tax, Lawsuit, Beijing, Chinese law, Chinese art, Appeal, Artist A Beijing court has rejected dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's lawsuit against the tax bureau that imposed a massive fine against his company. Ai's lawyer said he'll file an appeal. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-2-2012?start=1900 Mexico's old ruling party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), is set to return to power after early results indicate Enrique Peña Nieto has won the country's election. A $21 million civil rights lawsuit is being filed today against the city of White Plains, New York, and its police department over the death of 68-year-old African-American veteran, Kenneth Chamberlain. Plus headlines, and more. Mon, 02 Jul 2012 12:59:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-2-2012 Mexican general election, 2012, Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Party of the Democratic Revolution, Politics of Mexico, Kenneth Chamberlain, White Plains, New York, Yo Soy 132 A $21 million civil rights lawsuit is being filed today against the city of White Plains, New York, and its police department over the death of 68-year-old African-American veteran, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. He was shot dead by police officers inside his own home after he accidentally set off his medical alert pendant. Police have since acknowledged using racial slurs against Chamberlain — an act they have described as a "tactic" to distract him as they sought entry into his home. Today's lawsuit comes less than two months after a Westchester County grand jury decided not to indict Police Officer Anthony Carelli for the shooting. We speak with Chamberlain's son, Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., and two of the family's attorneys, Mayo Bartlett and Randolph McLaughlin. "This is just one step of many that we're doing to try to hold the city of White Plains accountable for the death of my father," Chamberlain Jr. says. "It's unacceptable for the district attorney's office or for anyone else to suggest that calling someone a racial slur is a tactic," Bartlett says. "If anyone else had used that language, they would be charged with a hate crime — at a bare minimum, for aggravated harassment. ... That further makes you wonder what actually was presented to the grand jury." We return now to the police killing of Kenneth Chamberlain. He's the 68-year-old African-American Marine veteran who was shot dead inside his own home in a White Plains—by a White Plains, New York, police officer this past November. The police were called to Chamberlain's apartment after he accidentally set off his LifeAid medical alert pendant. Chamberlain's family is headed to federal court in Manhattan today to file the $21 million civil rights lawsuit against the city of White Plains, the White Plains Housing Authority and eight police officers involved in the incident. The suit comes less than two months after a Westchester County grand jury decided not to indict Police Officer Anthony Carelli for the shooting. The tragic incident occurred early on the morning of November 19th. When police arrived at Chamberlain's apartment, he told officers he was OK but refused to let them inside his apartment. The police responded by breaking down his door and then shooting him with a taser, then with bean bags fired from a shotgun, and finally Officer Carelli shot him dead. Police claim Chamberlain tried to attack them with a knife. In May, the police released video showing the moment the police broke down his door and shot him with a taser. TV viewers will see a few quick glimpses of Kenneth Chamberlain. The 68-year-old man was wearing boxer shorts and no shirt. It was very early in the morning. He had been woken up by the police. This video was recorded by a camera on the police taser. Listen closely. You can hear the sound of the taser. You got it? Shoot! Shoot me! No! Shoot me! Shoot me! Need another cartridge? Shoot me! That was Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. being shot by a taser. The police then shot the patient dead. We're joined now by Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., the son of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., and by two of the family's attorneys. Mayo Bartlett is former chief of the Bias Crimes Unit of the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the former chair of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission. And Randolph McLaughlin is a longtime civil rights attorney. He teaches at Pace Law School here in New York. We welcome you all to Democracy Now! Ken Chamberlain Jr., the significance of this lawsuit today, why you're in New York City? Well, I tell people that, from the very beginning, it's my belief and my opinion that the Westchester County DA did not present the evidence fully and fairly. So, to come back with no indictment whatsoever, you have to wonder what was actually on the table for the grand jury to look at. And this is just one step of many that we're doing to try to hold the city of White Plains accountable for the death of my father. Now, just to be clear on what happened in November, the LifeAid pendant that your father wore goes off. Maybe he rolled over on it. The LifeAid company speaks to him in the apartment, because there's a box in your father's apartment that links to this medical alert company? Correct. And they are now recording everything that's happening in the room. They try to speak to him, but he's asleep—he's not answering. Yes. If you don't get a response, they automatically contact emergency services. And the police department would be one of the people that they would contact and notify them that they are responding to a medical emergency. And this is what a lot of people don't understand when they don't see the problem with this, is that you were not responding to a crime, you were responding to a possible medical emergency. And once they arrive, and my father tells you he's OK, that should have been the end of it. They should have left, and my father would still be alive today. But because he refused to open his door completely, they then decide that, OK, we're going to bust your door down. And we already know what took place after that. The tasering and then the shooting of your father dead. After the White Plains police arrived at Ken Chamberlain's apartment, he told an operator from LifeAid that he was not sick and did not need assistance. Listen carefully. This is your help center for LifeAid, Mr. Chamberlain. Do you need help? Yes, this is an emergency! I have the White Plains Police Department banging on my door, and I did not call them, and I am not sick! Everything's all right, sir? No, it's not all right! I need help! The White Plains Police Department are banging on my door! Mr. Chamberlain, go to your door and answer it. [inaudible] Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Open your door for the police, Mr. Chamberlain. I didn't call the police. I did not call the police! That's OK. Go to your door and let them know you're all right. I stay right there. They hear me. They say they want to talk to me. OK, go and talk to them, sir. I'll stay on the line with you. I have no reason to talk to them. Mr. Chamberlain? Mr. Chamberlain? Yes. You pressed your medical button right now. You don't need anything, let the police know you're OK. I'm OK! The police department is knocking on my door, and I— Yes, I understand. Go to the door and tell them you're all right. I will not open my door. Sir, go to the door and tell them you're OK. I will not open my door. That was Kenneth Chamberlain speaking in his apartment to the LifeAid operator. Randolph McLaughlin, talk about the significance of this moment. The pounding we hear is the police pounding on this patient's door. The company had told the police that they had canceled their call? Yes, the company told the police they had canceled the call. Mr. Chamberlain said repeatedly, "I don't need your assistnance." At one point, the door is ajar, sufficient that they could see into the apartment and see Mr. Chamberlain was not in any distress whatsoever. Yet and still, they persisted on banging on this man's door for up to an hour and then using a device to literally take the door off the hinges and break his door down. At no time did Mr. Chamberlain present himself as a threat to anyone. He never left his apartment. They came into his apartment and shot him dead. The tapes that were released, it's unusual to see this level of a sort of document dump. The White Plains district attorney put out all of these tapes, both of the video of the taser itself—it was on the gun—and the audiotape from the LifeAid company. At the time, they didn't know everything they were saying was being recorded, because that's what LifeAid does, including a police officer knocking on the window outside and using the N-word. Can you talk about that? Yeah, they claim that that word was used to distract Mr. Chamberlain. So, let me get this right now. You're a white officer in an African-American community, and you're using the N-word to distract a black person? Well, that doesn't make any sense. It just doesn't make any sense. But that officer—none of the officers knew they were being recorded. And when this document dump happened, it happened the same day that the grand jury didn't indict. The DA refused to indict, basically, because when the grand jury doesn't indict, it's because the DA doesn't want an indictment. That's my view of the matter. They dumped this on the media and on us at the same time, and over 205 pages of police reports. I guess they were hoping that it would demonstrate to the public and the media that there was nothing wrong here. Well, it was just the opposite, because what we saw on those tapes was a man in boxer shorts not leaving his apartment, not really threatening anyone. But equally important, in the reports that were issued, one officer writes a report that when they shot him with bean bags—they also used bean bags before they used a gun—that Mr. Chamberlain went down. "Went down." His words, not ours. So, what was your plan after he went down? Why didn't you go into the apartment now and take him down to make sure he couldn't get back up and do anything to hurt anyone? They didn't do that. The bean bags were shot in close succession, and then immediately the gun was fired. I want to turn to more tape. While the police were threatening to break down Kenneth Chamberlain's door, before they actually did, Chamberlain's sister called the police in an attempt to defuse the situation. White Plains police emergency. Yes, good morning. My name is Carol Matthews. I'm—I understand that the police are down with my brother, Kenny Chamberlain. Yes, ma'am. And I'm—you know, I'm trying to get through to him. You know, he is on medication. He is on medication, right, yeah. Yeah, he has the paper that he's supposed to carry around with him. OK, no problem. And, you know, he's like really—he seems like he's done snapped, you know what I mean? Sure. I just don't know what to do at this time. OK, well, it's no problem. The number that I have— Just, you know what? We're going to handle it on our end. Yeah, but I mean, I don't—you know, they say he has a—someone said he has a knife or something? Who said that? The people from the station, you know, from the alert station, life alert. Yeah, I don't know. I'm not sure. Whatever it is, though, we're going to handle it. And then he can— Yeah, but that's— —certainly get in touch with you as soon as he can. Because I don't want them to shoot him, you know. No, it's not going to come to that. Well, they said that—my daughter is there also. She said that they—that they have their guns out. They're trying to talk to him, you know, but that's— Right, right. Well, you know what, ma'am? Listen, just stay in contact with your daughter. She knows more than I do. I'm inside right now. I don't really have any of the information, so you just talk with her, and she'll relay you any information that she gets. She'll probably get it to you faster than I could. OK. OK? Have a good evening. All right, bye-bye. So there is Ken Chamberlain Sr.'s sister, Carol Matthews. You know, she was on the alert—life alert company's list of someone to call in case of an emergency. She's talking to them from another state, from North Carolina, saying, "You're not going to shoot him, are you?" Mayo Bartlett, you're one of the attorneys for the Chamberlain family. And yet that's exactly what they did. Absolutely, and they were given just ample opportunity to avoid shooting Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. Chamberlain was there. They knew Mr. Chamberlain. They knew he was a 68-year-old man. They knew he was elderly. They knew that he had a medical condition. They had gone there at 5:00 in the morning to give him possible medical attention. They did not respond to a 911 call because any crime was taking place. So when they got there, you could hear the manner in which they were banging on that door. That's not knocking on someone's door as if you want to gain entry. That's a way to really scare someone or to agitate that person. And when they continued to do that and then eventually broke his door down and called him racial slurs—I mean, and I believe that happened more than one time—it's absolutely unacceptable, and it makes you wonder what duty they felt they owed him. And it is my feeling that it shouldn't matter. I mean, Mr. Chamberlain happened to have had a distinguished career in the military, happened to have retired as a corrections officer, but none of that really should be important. What should matter is that no one in society should be treated that way. No one should be greeted by slurs based on their ethnicity or their race. And I think it's unacceptable for the district attorney's office or for anyone else to suggest that calling someone a racial slur is a tactic. If anyone else had used that language, they would be charged with a hate crime—at a bare minimum, for aggravated harassment. And that would be under the New York state laws. And that further makes you wonder what actually was presented to the grand jury. And the suggestion also, as has been suggested by the police commissioner, Chong, recently, that they're still investigating this matter on the law enforcement side. Well, if they're still investigating a case seven months after the fact, what was presented to the grand jury? Did they make a presentation before the full and final investigation was completed? These are all questions that we have. We're going to break, and then we're coming back to this discussion, and also learn about some of the records of the police officers who were involved with this, who are in fact facing other cases of charges of police brutality themselves. We're speaking with Mayo Bartlett and Randolph McLaughlin—they are two of the attorneys for the family—and Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., the son of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. Back in a minute. [break] Our guests are Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. and attorneys Mayo Bartlett and Randolph McLaughlin. We're talking about the case of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. He is a former marine, a former corrections guard. He is a—he was a heart patient. He was 68 years old. In November, November 19th, 2011, his life alert pending went off. The LifeAid company, the medical alert company, couldn't reach him, so they called the police and said, "This is not a police incident. This is a medical emergency. We ask you to come to the scene." When Ken Chamberlain responded, they called back the police and told them they were canceling the call, but the police said no. They broke down the door. They tasered Mr. Chamberlain. And then shot him dead. I want to go to another of the recordings that we have been playing. This is—this was released by the White Plains Police Department from the morning Kenneth Chamberlain was shot dead. Listen carefully. You can hear Mr. Chamberlain say, "They're getting ready to kill me or beat me up." They have stun guns and shotguns! [inaudible] Mr. Chamberlain! Mr. Chamberlain! They've come to kill me with that, because I have a bad heart. It doesn't have to happen that way. [inaudible] just have to open the door. Get out! I didn't call you! I did not call you. Why are you here? Why are you here? Life alert called us. Why are you here? Life alert called us. They have their nine-millimeter Glocks at the ready. They're getting ready to kill me or beat me up. Open the door. I'm OK. Let them check you out. And then we will leave. I'm OK. I'm OK. I'm fine. Yeah, but I'm not a doctor. I am fine! No, nothing here. Leave. I'm fine. Now leave. I'm fine. That was Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. saying, "Now leave. I'm fine," continuing to assert that he is fine. Ken Chamberlain Jr., as you listen to this, the other statements that your father made, for example, when he said, "Semper fi"? Well, my dad, as everyone knows, was a marine. And, you know, they always say, once a marine, always a marine. And it's ironic that that's also the motto, Semper fi, of the city of White Plains, which you'll see on the city of White Plains' flag. But they treated my father with no respect whatsoever. And as Randy said, when they released all of the evidence, the audio, the video, I guess it wasn't in an attempt to try to sway the public. But from what I gather and what I found and observed on blogs and everything else, one of the main things that people say after they review all of it is, "I can't believe there was no indictment." That's one of the first things they say. And then the second thing they say is, "He said he was OK. So why didn't they just leave him alone?" which is the main answer. Why didn't you leave him alone? He said he was OK. My father would still be alive today, had you just walked away after he said he was fine. And you also hear my father say in part of the audio that "You're a racist," after they used the N-word. And you guys are really the only ones that really play this stuff, where the other media outlets don't do it. They just allege that my father is being aggressive, but they don't play the 30 minutes before, where my father is being—fearing for his life. Well, Mayo Bartlett, that issue of the N-word that was used. We have the clip. Can you set it up what it is that we're about to listen to, of the police officers? Absolutely. It's a point in time where Mr. Chamberlain again is asking them to please leave him alone, and something to the effect that he's just an old man with a heart condition. And the officers respond by telling him, essentially, "We don't give an F," you know, and called him the N-word. You don't expect law enforcement to do that to anybody. And by doing that and by having, again, the district attorney's office suggest that that's a tactic is essentially telling us that we're supposed to accept that from law enforcement, but really they aggravated the situation at that point. Let's play a clip. Listen carefully. Mr. Chamberlain! Don't do that, sir. Don't do that. Don't do that, officer. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that. Do not do that! I'm telling you I'm OK! I don't give a [bleep], nigger! I'm telling you I'm OK! [inaudible] I'm telling you I'm OK. That was Officer Stephen Hart. He was outside, Randall McLaughlin? Well, it's unclear where he was at that moment. I mean, that's the second time I've heard that N-word. There's another part in the clip where he's at the window, and he says, "Stop. We have to talk, N." That's a different portion of the tape. So, apparently, as Mayo has said, as Kenneth said, there were two instances now that I've heard where that N-word is being used as a, quote, "tactic." No, I call it what it is: it's a racist tactic. You met with the U.S. attorney's office, with the Justice Department? We did. The same day that the grand jury refused to issue an indictment, we met and decided that we were going to reach out to the U.S. attorney's office. And that next morning we wrote a letter to the U.S. attorney's office and Eric Holder, the attorney general, demanding a federal prosecution and investigation into two things: one, into the death of Mr. Chamberlain and to see whether that violated federal civil rights criminal statutes, and also, given other instances that we're aware of in terms of racist policing in White Plains, whether the entire department should be investigated for policies and practices that are leading to these kinds of outrages. So, about two weeks ago, we met with representatives from the U.S. attorney's office. We're not at liberty to disclose what was said in the meeting. What I can say is it was a very productive meeting. We believe they will conduct a full and fair investigation. And we are hopeful that at the end of the day, when they look at the evidence that you have, that they have as well, that there will be federal indictments. Do you compare this to the Trayvon Martin case in any way? I think, in some ways, this case is worse than Trayvon Martin's case. And here's why. Trayvon Martin was killed in a horrible situation by a vigilante. He wasn't hired or an employee of the city or law enforcement. He was just a wacko nut out there carrying a gun and did a terrible thing. This was—it was almost like an invading army was storming this man's castle, because your home is supposed to be your castle. So it wasn't like they had to make a spur-of-the-moment decision, you know, someone's coming at them with a gun or a knife, and it's us or them. They had an hour to figure out how to handle this. They had up to 10 to 12 officers around. There was a lieutenant in the station house. There were sergeants there. I mean, it wasn't like they were a bunch of rogue officers just making a quick decision. They planned, they executed their plan, and they executed this man. That's what this was. We're suing eight officers, because these eight officers, we charge, engaged in a conspiracy. That's what this was, a conspiracy to destroy this man's life and to insult and terrorize him for that hour. And this isn't the first time that three of these officers have been engaged in this kind of—these kinds of behaviors. And, Mayo Bartlett, who are these three officers? Can you name the names of the officers and the cases that they are involved with, in addition to Mr. Chamberlain's killing? Well, I can tell you that Officer Hart and Officer Carelli are involved in other matters. There's a matter involving the Hatter brothers, where they are two gentlemen of Jordanian descent who were arrested and alleged that they were beaten and called "ragheads," based upon who they happen to be. But if I could very briefly just go back to the Trayvon Martin comparison again, Trayvon Martin—there's a suggestion that the "Stand Your Ground" law may apply there, and Mr. Zimmerman is not law enforcement. Here, we're talking about police officers who swear to protect. They're supposed to be the neighborhood watch for the people who live in the Winbrook Houses. And instead, they went in there and used language which would terrorize anyone who lives in that apartment complex. Every neighbor of Mr. Chamberlain's had to realize that it could have been them, if they had a medical emergency. And in this situation, they went in there, and Mr. Chamberlain was in the one place that you're supposed to always be able to stand your ground, whether you have a Stand Your Ground law or not. You're supposed to be able to stay in your home without retreating. When you're in your home, there's no place else to retreat. And as Randy said earlier, you know, Mr. Chamberlain never left his house that evening, you know, never left his home. He was there 5:00 in the morning, never left his house, was in his home while the police broke it down and came in to attack him. But going back to these other cases— So you have Carelli, who is about to go to court in this case of the Hatter brothers. Yes. Brought them into a police station. And explain what happened in the police station. Well, in the police station, it's my understanding that Officer Carelli struck these individuals while they were in handcuffs in the police station and yelled—called them "ragheads" as an anti-Arab statement that he made. And it's my understanding that there are several other incidents where Officer Carelli has used excessive force against individuals. And— So that case is going forward on September 4th. Yes, it is. It was actually delayed. It was supposed to happen a month or two ago. Then there's the case of Stephen Hart. He's the one who used the N-word. What was he involved with? Well, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that Stephen Hart was involved in the Hatter brothers matter, as well. Randy McLaughlin? He was involved in a Mexican-American banker, who again was arrested and allegedly beaten, falsely charged with crimes that he didn't commit, obviously. They're part of a group called the Neighborhood Conditions Unit, just like the Street Crimes Unit in New York. These are low— Killed Amadou Diallo in 1999. That killed Amadou Diallo. And these are a group of cops who literally patrol certain areas, downtown White Plains and the housing development where Mr. Chamberlain was killed. And they're—at least three of these officers have been involved in a number of incidents involving excessive force and racial slurs. Ken Chamberlain, $21 million lawsuit—you're leaving Democracy Now! today, and you're filing it. While it bring you any kind of relief? We have about 15 seconds. Well, I don't know so much it's about relief. But again, it just is another step in accountability, because we need to pass laws, especially involving questionable police shootings. We'll leave it there. I want to thank you very much, Ken Chamberlain Jr., also Randolph McLaughlin and Mayo Bartlett, the attorneys. That does it for our broadcast. By the way, on Wednesday, a July 4th special on the life, music and politics of Woody Guthrie. July 14th is the 100th anniversary of his birth. http://news.linktv.org/videos/adding-insult-to-injury-violent-greek-politician-sues-victims?start=0 After several days in hiding, a Greek far-right member of parliament has reappeared to announce he intends to press criminal charges and bring lawsuits against two women he violently attacked on live TV. Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:07:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/adding-insult-to-injury-violent-greek-politician-sues-victims Ilias Kasidiaris, Golden Dawn (Greece), Liana Kanelli, Greek general election, 2012, Politics of Greece, Greece, Far-right politics, Assault, Violence against women, Ant1 A Greek far-right member of parliament is pressing criminal charges against two woman he attacked on live TV. He says he was provoked. After throwing a glass of water at one left-wing rival, Ilias Kasidarias, spokesman for the far-right Golden Dawn party, lashed out at another. Al Jazeera's Charlie Angela reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyan-military-chief-suing-uk-secret-service-over-illegal-rendition?start=0 Two Libyan men, including head of the Tripoli military council Abdel Hakim Belhadj, are suing a former British intelligence officer over his role in their illegal rendition in 2004. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyan-military-chief-suing-uk-secret-service-over-illegal-rendition Abdelhakim Belhadj , Libya, MI6, Extraordinary rendition, Tripoli, Libya-UK relations, Mark Allen, UK Government, Muammar Gaddafi , Torture Two Libyan men, including head of the Tripoli military council Abdel Hakim Belhadj, are suing a former British intelligence officer over his role in their illegal rendition in 2004. Both men were exiled anti-regime dissidents during Gaddafi's rule, but were detained separately in Asia and flown to Tripoli, where they allege they were interrogated by British and American agents, and tortured by Libyan officers. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111011?start=172 BBC Arabic reports that Palestinians seeking compensation from Israel for military actions during the Gaza War in 2009 have to pay a fee of $5,000 in order file a lawsuit in Israeli courts, in a move seen by many as an attempt to shield Israeli soldiers from prosecution. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111011 Israel, Nuclear program of Iran, Iran, Protest, Civilian casualties, Military strike, Ali Khamenei, Pre-emptive strike, International sanctions, Russia Presenter, Male # 1 Five thousand dollars is the fee every Palestinian must pay Israeli courts if they file a lawsuit against Israeli forces for their actions during the Gaza War in 2009 in order to receive compensation. The fees will probably impede hundreds of Gaza residents from suing the Israeli army because they are unable to pay them. But some see the Israeli measures as an obvious attempt to shield Israeli soldiers from prosecution, according to Palestinian human rights organizations. Reporter, Male # 2 These images captured with a mobile phone show some residents holding white flags; perhaps to protect themselves from the bullets of Israeli soldiers during the latest Israeli war in the northern Gaza Strip. However, the Abu Hajjaj family succeeded in proving that Israeli soldiers killed their grandmother and mother despite having raised white flags. They received financial compensation after filing a lawsuit in Israeli courts. Guest, Male # 3 (Youssef Abu Hajjaj, mother and sister killed in the war) Thank God, we won the case. We received 500,000 shekels. All the money in the world can't bring my mother, may God have mercy on her soul, and the girl back. Reporter, Male # 2 Palestinian human rights organizations report that over 1,400 were killed in Operation Cast Lead in early 2009. Most of their family members filed lawsuits in Israeli courts to receive compensation but the problem is that Israeli courts require that each plaintiff pay fees that can reach over 5,000 dollars; fees that most Palestinians cannot afford. Guest, Male # 4 (Mohammad Alme, Lawyer, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights) The first and ultimate goal is to prevent the victims from reaching the court. On that basis, they are unable to file lawsuits to prosecute Israeli soldiers. But we're not only seeking the prosecution of soldiers; we want the prosecution of those who gave the orders, those who executed them, and the way in which they were carried out. Reporter, Male # 2 The Abdel Dayem family, which lost seven of its members and had more than 40 others injured during the war, also filed lawsuits to receive compensation. They were surprised to find out they have to pay fees of a quarter of a million dollars to finalize the lawsuits. If they don't, they have to withdraw the claim. Guest, Male # 5 (Hasan Abdel Dayem, lost two brothers and son was paralyzed) We are absolutely not ready to relinquish our rights. If we don't get them today, then we will tomorrow. Reporter, Male # 2 You won't withdraw the lawsuits? Guest, Male # 5 We will not withdraw the lawsuits. We will raise these cases as long as we're alive. Reporter, Male # 2 Why won't you pay these fees? Guest, Male # 6 We don't have any money. Let human rights organizations pay for us. I tell any official side, come adopt these suits and if we lose the case we will pay them back. I promise, if my son?in the name of Mohammad Arafat Abdel Dayem?if my son loses the case, I am ready to sell everything I own to pay those fees back. Reporter, Male # 2 The shelling rendered Arafat's son quadriplegic and he is now confined to a wheelchair. His family says it is ready to abandon its demands in exchange for seeing their son walk again. Shuhdi el-Kashef, BBC, the Gaza Strip. http://news.linktv.org/videos/child-hit-and-run-accident-leaves-china-in-state-of-shock?start=0 WARNING: Graphic Content. A toddler has died from injuries she sustained after being hit by two cargo vans in Foshan, southern China. Surveillance camera footage not only captured the accident itself, but documented something even more shocking: more than a dozen people passing her prone body without stopping to help. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:57:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/child-hit-and-run-accident-leaves-china-in-state-of-shock China, Foshan, Hit and run accident, Moral panic, Child, Lawsuit, Closed-circuit television, Top Ten Raw Videos, LinkAsia A toddler has died from injuries she sustained after being hit by two cargo vans. Surveillance camera footage not only captured the accident itself, but documented something even more shocking afterward: more than a dozen people passing her prone body without stopping to help. Sydnie Kohara interviews journalist Maureen Fan about the public outcry following this incident. ---- Two events have chinese social media in a frenzy this week… and raise all sorts of questions about how people react to someone in distress. Joining me in studio is maureen fan who reported from china for the washinton post until 2009. The first incident involved an attempted suicide in hangzhou (hahng jo). V/o a young chinese girl tried to drown herself in a city park. A foreign woman, possibly an american tourist, jumped in and rescued her. The story went viral, partly because bystanders, all chinese, did nothing to help. Here's a sample of posts on the wei bo site. This one was addressed to the rescuer. “i'm so moved, not only by your courage, but the fact that you immediately left after doing the good deed.” Another post said: “a beautiful american! And those ugly-to-the-bone bystanders.” This one said : “it's not that our morality is corrupted - it's just "on vacation". It's what communism does. But it will come back.” The second incident had a much less happy ending. V/o: a two year old in the southern chinese city of fushan was hit by a van. The driver stopped, but then drove off, running over the girl's legs again. Then, as the security camera shows, at least a dozen passersby did nothing to help the little girl. They hardly seemed to even notice her. Another truck ran over her. It too didn't stop. Finally, an elderly woman stopped and called the police. The child is in a coma. The reaction online was immense - one-and-a- half million hits to a u-tube-like site in china called yoku. And many, many responses. Here's a sample. “…this is the fault of the hit-and-run drivers, of the society as a whole, of the social system in china. It is the system that forces people to hide their conscience.” Here's another one: “…twenty people none are willing to help? It's a collective cold heart, (it demands) collective deep reflection.” And one more: “those who are wiling to help must be prepared to get sued.” Maureen, what did the driver mean by that? That he'd have to pay more if the child lived than if she died. What about the post warning that good samaritans in china can get sued. So, it's just the fear of law suits that stops people from helping? - whether there's someone drowning like in hangzhou or hit by a car like that poor girl in fushan maureen fan has reported from china for the washington post.