August 30, 2024
Social Justice
Picture Source: Wix Media AI
Ben Crump Law Reacts To Biden Administration's
$2 Billion Payment To Minority Farmers
Washington D.C. Renowned civil rights and personal injury lawyer Ben Crump from Ben Crump Law has issued a statement in reaction to the Biden administration's declaration of providing more than $2 billion in direct payments to Black and other minority farmers who have experienced systemic discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
“The Biden administration’s decision to distribute over $2 billion in direct payments to those who have faced systemic discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a monumental step forward. We extend our deepest gratitude to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their commitment to addressing this historic injustice.
“While this aid is a crucial acknowledgment of the USDA’s long history of discrimination, it is only a starting point. As John Boyd Jr. of the National Black Farmers Association said, ‘It’s like putting a bandage on somebody that needs open-heart surgery.’ We must continue to push for comprehensive solutions, including land restoration and full debt relief for our farmers.
“The fight for equity in agriculture is far from over, but today’s actions are a promising beginning. We will continue to advocate for a more just and inclusive agricultural system, ensuring that future generations of Black and minority farmers do not inherit the same burdens. Thank you, President Biden and Vice President Harris, for your leadership and dedication to this cause.”
Family of Christon Collins Hires Attorney Ben Crump
Over Veteran's Death In DeKalb County Jail.
Atlanta, GA. The 27-year-old Black veteran Christon Collins family has hired nationally recognized civil rights and personal injury lawyer Ben Crump. Collins was discovered dead in the DeKalb County Jail on March 13. Collins' mother was able to view a video of her son lying on the ground for hours before jail personnel arrived because of an open records request.
Collins was imprisoned following an alleged incident in which he rushed across I-85 on foot and collided with a police cruiser's shoulder. Officers charged Collins with simple assault against police and obstruction of law enforcement. Collins' mother revealed that after leaving the service, her son had mental health issues.
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
Christon Collins’ family deserves answers and justice for the unimaginable loss they have endured. We are focused on uncovering more information about the suspicious circumstances in this case, and holding accountable any personnel that contributed to or neglected to prevent Christon’s death. This case underscores the mental health epidemic that leads to the death of too many veterans and Black men and women who need help.”
Historic Lawsuit Filed For Henrietta Lacks'
Family Against Pharmaceutical Giants
Baltimore, MD Prominent civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and lawyer Christopher Seeger of Seeger Weiss stated today that they had sued Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Gene Therapies Inc., Viatris Inc., and Mylan Pharmaceuticals on behalf of Henrietta Lacks' family. The HeLa cell line, developed from Henrietta Lacks's cells and widely utilized in medical research and drug development without the authorization of Lacks or her family, is the subject of a lawsuit seeking justice for the unapproved commercialization of the cells.
Early in the 1950s, Henrietta Lacks, a Black citizen, community activist, and grandmother, received treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital for cervical cancer. Without her knowledge or agreement, tissue samples from her cervix were obtained during a medical operation. These cells were the first to be immortalized in human cell lineage because of their unique characteristics that allowed them to increase endlessly in lab settings.
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
“Henrietta Lacks’s cells have fueled countless medical breakthroughs, from the development of the polio vaccine to advancements in gene mapping and in vitro fertilization,” said Chris Seeger. “Yet, despite the monumental impact of HeLa cells on medical science, Mrs. Lacks’s family has had to fight for compensation and acknowledgment for their profound contribution.”
The lawsuit highlights the conscious choices made by Novartis and Viatris to commercialize the HeLa cell line, generating substantial profits while being fully aware of the unethical origins of the cells. Novartis has acknowledged the story of Henrietta Lacks on its website, yet continues to benefit from the use of her genetic material without seeking permission or providing compensation to her estate. Similarly, Viatris and its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals have heavily relied on HeLa cells for drug development, accelerating their research and increasing their profitability.
“Medical research has a long, troubled history of exploiting Black individuals, and Henrietta Lacks’s story is a stark reminder of this legacy,” Crump added. “It is time for these corporations to be held accountable for their unjust enrichment and to provide the Lacks family with the recognition and compensation they deserve.”
The lawsuit brings a single cause of action for unjust enrichment, asserting that the defendants’ continued use and commercialization of HeLa cells are inequitable without payment or permission from the Lacks family. It calls for the profits derived from the use of these cells to be rightfully transferred to the estate of Henrietta Lacks.
“Black people have the right to control their bodies and their genetic material,” Crump stated. “The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks’s cells must be acknowledged, and justice must be served for her family. We will fight tirelessly to ensure that her legacy is honored and that her family receives the compensation they are owed.”
Legal Team Reacts To Medical Examiner's
Report In D’Vontaye Mitchell Case
Following the release of the medical examiner's report, the family of 43-year-old D'Vontaye Mitchell, co-counsel Will Sulton and B'Ivory Lamarr, and nationally recognized human rights and personal injury lawyer Ben Crump published a statement. Mitchell allegedly entered a hotel and "caused a disturbance," got into a fight with them as he was being led out, and was "detained" until the police arrived, according to security guards. According to Mitchell's mother, he was experiencing a mental health episode. Mitchell was declared dead at the scene after becoming nonresponsive when police arrived. Three or four security personnel were reportedly seen by a witness kneeling on Mitchell's neck and back, and one of them struck him in the head with an item. Startling mobile phone footage supports the stories of multiple witnesses.
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
“The medical examiner’s report concluded that Mitchell died from restraint asphyxia and ruled his death a homicide. These findings demand immediate charges against the officers involved. Mitchell was in the midst of a mental health crisis and, instead of abiding by their duty to protect and serve, the security officers and other Hyatt staff used excessive force that inflicted injury resulting in death. We will not rest until we achieve justice for Mitchell and his grieving family.”
GIF Source: Wix Media of Attorney Ben Crump
Call for Prosecution: Former Deputy Who Shot And Killed U.S. Airman
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. U.S. Airman Roger Fortson was shot and killed on May 3 by former Sheriff's Deputy Eddie Duran. National civil rights attorney Ben Crump urges Florida First Judicial Circuit State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden to charge and prosecute Duran.
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
“Roger Fortson was shot and killed nearly three months ago, but his family and the community are still waiting for full justice. Now that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has finished its investigation and turned it over to the State Attorney’s Office for a charging decision, it is past time for State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden to act by filing charges against and prosecuting former Deputy Duran. The actions of Deputy Duran were not just negligent, they were criminal. Roger Fortson, a dedicated airman, was tragically taken from his loved ones while holding a legally owned firearm pointed at the ground, posing no threat to anyone. The body camera footage and internal affairs investigation clearly demonstrate that the deputy’s use of deadly force was neither necessary nor justified.
“This tragic incident should never have occurred, and we must ensure that there are consequences for such reckless actions. Roger Fortson’s family deserves justice, and our community deserves accountability. It is imperative that law enforcement officers who abuse their power are held responsible – how else can we expect to prevent future tragedies and rebuild trust within our communities?
“We will continue to fight tirelessly for justice for Roger Fortson and his loved ones and to ensure that his death was not in vain. The pursuit of justice in this case is not only about Roger and his family but about ensuring the safety and rights of every individual in our community. State Attorney Bowden Madden, the time to act is now.”
Legal Response: Attorney Ben Crump Addresses
911 Calls In Sonya Massey Case
In response to the release of the 911 calls made before the shooting of Sonya Massey by the police, nationally recognized human rights and personal injury lawyer Ben Crump issued the following statement. On July 6, 2024 Sonya Massey was tragically shot and killed by Deputy Sean Grayson. The 36-year-old, who was unarmed, had called the police to report a possible intruder at her home. Grayson has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder, governmental misconduct, and aggravated violence with a handgun in connection with the incident.
Attorney Crump released the subsequent statement:
“The 911 calls capture the heartbreaking pleas of Sonya’s mother who desperately sought help for her daughter while expressing her deep fears about the potential for violence at the hands of the police. Despite these warnings, Sonya, a woman struggling with her mental health, was met with deadly force in her own home.
“Sonya needed compassion and support. Instead, she was met with a gunshot to the face by a deputy whose actions have now led to charges of first-degree murder. The failure to provide the appropriate response to a mental health crisis has resulted in an irreversible loss for the Massey family and underscores a systemic issue that must be addressed.
“This case is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and better training for handling mental health crises. No family should ever have to endure such a preventable tragedy. We will continue to fight for justice for the Massey family, as well as systemic change to ensure that no other family has to suffer the pain and loss that the Massey family is experiencing.”
Reference: https://bencrump.com/press/attorney-ben-crump-responds-to-release-of-911-calls-in-sonya-massey-case/
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