On January 3rd, Keenan Anderson, an English teacher in Los Angeles went into cardiac arrest after cops tasered him quite literally to death. Keenan was flagged down by the police after a car accident happened and he was blamed for it, he was flagged because he “exhibited erratic behavior” and was “running in the middle of the street” Keenan Anderson was not only a beloved English teacher but the cousin of the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, who created the hashtag Black Lives Matter.
In the video that is the bodycam of Keenan being tased, you hear him say “They are trying to George Floyd me!”, “They are trying to kill me!” and “Help me!”. He was pronounced deceased in the hospital.
Tragically enough, this is one of at least three killings that happened in 2023 by the LAPD. On January 2nd, Takar Smith was shot by an officer as he was wielding a knife. His wife had a restraining order on him, which is why initially the police were called, and he was schizophrenic and not on his medication, but this was not the case where death is warranted. Also, as well on January 3rd, Oscar Sanchez was shot by an officer because “he confronted officers with a makeshift spear”, this also is not an incident that warrants death. The three deaths have Police Chief Michel Moore “deeply concerned”. Takar’s death though has been ruled as a homicide by gunshot wounds, but the other two murders are still being investigated.
Having these three incidents happen within two days just shows again how police brutality has not lessened. Keenan’s cousin, Patrisse Cullor, is also one of the most well-known writers and activists, and is attributed to creating the hashtag Black Lives Matter throughout the Black Lives Matter movement, has stated “Keenan deserves to be alive right now, his child deserves to be raised by his father. Keenan, we will fight for you and all our loved ones impacted by state violence. I love you.” on Instagram.
Digital Pioneer Academy, where Keenan worked has also spoken out on the beloved English teacher and calls for justice for the loved one that they lost. Mashea Ashton, the founder and the CEO of Digital Pioneer Academy comes out not only demanding justice for Keenan, but also for two other members of their community that have been lost 14-year-old Antione Manning, and 15-year-old Jakhi Snider, who died during two separate gun violence incidences in the fall.
The mayor, who is also Los Angeles’ first Black female mayor came out and stated that she also has “grave concerns” after seeing the footage of Keenan, and also addressing the other two deaths that have happened. She also discusses how unnecessary the use of force is in any of the following instances that resulted in these three deaths.
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