Connect the Dots Coalition Will Rally Tuesday for NYPD to Take Rape Seriously

by Alex DiBranco · 2011-06-24 14:25:00 UTC
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Former New York police officers Ken Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty on charges related to rape. The verdict's perceived injustice -- felt even by members of the jury themselves -- has given rise to protests over the way the NYPD deals with sexual assault. But the then-officers were found guilty of official misconduct: they admitted to going back to the woman's apartment without their department's permission multiple times during the course of the night. On Tuesday, the cops will receive their sentences. And the Connect the Dots coalition wants to make certain they get the maximum punishment possible.

At 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Coalition will stage a rally in Foley Square, next to the courthouse. As with last month's rally immediately following the decision, protesters are asking the police to "take rape seriously," in addition to making sure that the guilty partners don't get off with a slap on the wrist.

This isn't the first time advocates have called on the NYPD to do so, either. Last year, another petition ran on Change.org: "Tell the NYPD to Stop Undercharging Sex Crimes and to Take Rape Seriously!" The action came in response to the revelation that reports of sexual assault and rape were being misfiled as misdemeanors to make the department's crime statistics look better, a practice that might have let a serial rapist go undiscovered longer than otherwise. While police promised to improve their lying ways, concerns how the force deals with sexual assault continue.

The goal of the campaign is to "'connect the dots' between the sentencing of Officers Moreno and Mata, and the larger issue of Violence Against Women." A number of feminist and anti-violence groups have come together in this coalition: "CONNECT, Crime Victims Treatment Center, Feministing, National Organization for Women (NOW-NYC), The Healing Center, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault and Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN)."

You can sign NOW-NYC's petition calling upon Justice Gregory Carro to give the former officers the maximum two-year sentence permitted.

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.

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