Diamond Reynolds settled a lawsuit she filed against a former sheriff’s deputy in 2017. For many who may not remember Reynolds, she is the girlfriend of the late Philando Castile who was shot to death on July 6, 2016 in Minnesota. Their 4-year-old daughter was in the back seat as Reynolds sat in the passenger and live-streamed the unjust execution of Castile. St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted despite charged with manslaughter.
Reynold’s lawyer stated Reynold’s received an apology from Tom McBroom. Castile’s family settled a suit with the city of St. Anthony for $2.995 million in a separate suit.
In November 2017, McBroom who currently serves as mayor of Elysian, Minnesota, took his controversial views to twitter as he tweeted Reynolds would waste the money on drugs.
According to McBroom, he publicly apologized to Reynolds expressing his regret for his nonchalant comments about how Reynolds would go about with the cash she received.
“I want to apologize to you for my remarks I made when you were awarded money for the loss of … Mr. Castile. From everything I have read since he was a good person and well-liked within his community and school. You lost a loved one and your daughter witnessed a violent act that no young child should ever have to witness,”
This apology may not be taken seriously by victims of police brutality who stand for justice alongside Reynolds and the Castile family. The long-lasting effects is something Reynold’s daughter will have to endure growing up. Castile’s death is one of many that exposes the racism and bigotry law enforcement have yet to eradicate from within the system.
A $50,000 defamation suit by Reynolds was filed against McBroom in 2019. With Reynold’s belief, McBroom’s comments were racially motivated, her denial of cocaine use went on record.
The $800,000 settlement Reynold’s received in November 2017 According to the Star Tribune, won’t bring back Castile or the large number of black lives that aren’t valued as humans. African Americans who live this repeated reality and nightmare want more than just publicized apologies that hold no value.
The fact he is now a mayor says a lot about this country.
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