Author: Hank Nuwer

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Excerpt rmy Pvt. Danny Chen allegedly took his own life in Afghanistan after he was abused by his fellow soldiers and superiors on an almost daily basis in what has been described as racial hazing. On Tuesday, Chen’s sergeant, Adam Holcomb, was found not guilty of negligent homicide but sentenced to 30 days in a military jail for lesser charges. Holcomb was the first of eight soldiers court-martialed in Chen’s death.

Here is an update on angry responses to the verdict

Excerpt from Rafu Shimpo (a Japanese newspaper based in California):

Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, Tom Hayashi, executive director of OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans), and Elizabeth OuYang, OCA-NY president, issued the following statement:

“The verdict and sentencing recommendation in this case fly in the face of civil and human rights. It is absolutely appalling that following a campaign of humiliation due to anti-Asian bias by Sgt. Holcomb and others that led to Pvt. Chen’s death last October, the jury would not only acquit Sgt. Holcomb of these serious charges, but recommend such a lenient sentence for his actions against Pvt. Chen.

“And it is quite disturbing that despite his conviction for maltreatment and assault, Sgt. Holcomb will be able to continue to serve honorably in the military, an honor he does not deserve.

“Today’s verdict is reminiscent of the Vincent Chin case more than 30 years ago, in which his killers served no jail time and merely received a fine for taking Chin’s life. There was no justice for Chin and today there was no justice for Pvt. Chen, Lance Cpl. Harry Lew or the many other victims of military hazing.

“The slap on the wrist for Sgt. Holcomb clearly demonstrates that these types of actions are acceptable in the military culture. As long as there is no clear definition of hazing that is punishable under military regulations, there will be future miscarriages of justice for victims like Pvt. Chen.

“As a nation, we must come together and demand that Congress and all branches of the military adopt stronger policies to deter and address all forms of hazing, harassment and abuse in our military. There must be a zero-tolerance policy.

“AAJC and OCA remain committed to working to address the following:

“• A clear definition of hazing that is punishable under military regulations.

“• Stronger accountability up and down the chain of command.

“• Stiffer punishment for failure to report harassment and abuse.

“• Protections for victims and whistle blowers of harassment and abuse.

“• Mandatory diversity training and inclusion practices to promote more diversity within leadership positions.

“• A comprehensive record-keeping system on reports of harassment and abuse.

“Six more trials and one more sentencing remain. We fully expect appropriate punishment that reflects that Pvt. Chen’s life was not in vain. We will continue to fight for justice and work to ensure protection for our military members.”

Here is the story link to the Inquirer.net

Excerpt:

MANILA, Philippines—The father of one of the principal suspects in the hazing death of a San Beda College freshman law student is to be included as a respondent in the criminal complaint that the police have filed in the Cavite prosecutor’s office, a police official said Thursday.

Senior Supt. John Bulalacao, Cavite police director, said Angelito “Itan” Velus (not Ethan Velus as earlier reported) will be named respondent in the murder case the police filed on Wednesday against his son Gian Angelo Velus, their cooks Soledad Sanda and Marlen Guadayo, and 20 members of the Lex Leonum Fraternitas in connection with the death of Marc Andre Marcos.

Marcos, 21, succumbed to multiple organ failure as a result of severe injuries in his “lower and upper extremities,” according to the autopsy report of the Philippine National Police’s Crime Laboratory.

“Under the anti-hazing law, the owner of the place where the hazing incident took place is also liable. The law says the owner is liable even if he or she did not know that fraternity initiation rites were held in their property,” Bulalacao said over the phone.

All:  if anyone has confirmation or a rebuttal of this Twitter account, let me know. Moderator

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Here is the video

Excerpt: rst student to speak publicly among those charged with crimes in the hazing scandal at Florida A&M University has told HBO’s Real Sports he tried to protect the drum major who died.

Rikki Wills, who is among 11 students charged with felonies after the death of Robert Champion in November, told Real Sports contributor Frank Deford he and other drum majors tried to shield Champion from blows by other members of FAMU’s Marching 100 band delivered in an initiation called “Crossing Bus C.”

The story aired Tuesday evening on HBO.

The ritual involved walking from the front to the back of a parked bus, while dodging blows from other band members delivered by sticks, belts and fists.

“Robert started panicking. … He was like, ‘I can’t breathe, can’t breathe,’ ” said Wills about Champion’s reaction after the beating. “He said he couldn’t see. … He started saying, ‘Oh Lord, Jesus, please help me. Please help me.’ Those were probably the last words he said.”