Judge Sheila-Abdus Salaam was the first black female judge in appeals court in the United States ever, who was found floating in a river in Manhattan around April 2017. She was the first African-American woman appointed to the court of appeals, the highest position you could have. This was huge, and she’s now dead. Surely this shouldn’t sit right with anybody. Not only was her death publicised as a suicide despite countless evidence to the contrary including signs of struggle on her neck, but this case has stayed quiet for 3 entire years as of now with no sort of proper investigation? The fact I only came across Judge Sheila-Abdus Salaam’s case yesterday should speak for itself. Black people deserve so much better their lives are important and matter and their voices can change the world we live in for the better!

With particular reference to the fact this happened in New York, the fact she was married to a Muslim husband and therefore had a Muslim surname is important contextually when understanding the case and why this happened to her. New York is one of the cities with the highest anti-terrorism surveillance systems put in place, and where Judge Abdus-Salaam had a Muslim surname, this immediately would unfortunately make her a target for hate crimes and racist violence. We can’t just let her be another name in the long list of victims. Each black life matters just as much as the other, and despite her being a particularly extraordinary person, every black life matters regardless of their accomplishments. People need to understand this so we can start to head towards a brighter future for all people of all races.

I’m sick and tired of seeing more and more cases where there has been clear systemic racism at play in which black women and men alike have been victims of the institutional hate towards black people simply for the colour of their skin. It has been clear for a long time now that white people and other non-black people of colour have felt intimidated and angered by the power black people could potentially have in our large institutions and companies where they can make revolutionary changes for a better world. She simply wanted to thrive in a foundation that created a fairer and more just New York for people of all backgrounds, for there to be no bias in trials based off religion and race etc. We can’t let this go. It’s been 3 years and her and her family haven’t received the closure they deserve and are rightfully owed. Please sign this petition so we can hopefully get the New York Police Department to reopen her case !!! Thank you