Reefa, Israel Hernandez- Llach, Memorial

It’s been a few weeks since Israel Hernandez- Llach passed away after brutally and stupidly being tasered by one of Miami Beach’s “finest”. The buzz has lulled a bit and there’s an investigation under way of the police department’s case.

I attended the gathering on the  Saturday after it happened which was held on the site where it occurred, an abandoned building, formally a Mc Donalds. Really they tasered a kid over tagging an abandoned building? Ridiculous and shameful I thought. I’m originally from Miami and was surprised to see that this is where it happened, I even lived in the area many years ago, an area in which violence is not very prevalent.

It seemed that many of the kids at the memorial may have been friends with Reefa, Israel. There were also older people, kids, (I took my daughter) couples, and the media. All kinds of people. It was a solemn yet political gathering, also peaceful. The police were looking over the whole thing making sure no violence would occur, ironic.  I would’ve been embarrassed to be a cop that day.

Israel’s family was there. The worst and most disturbing part for me was seeing his family walking by crying. It was especially difficult to see his mother . As a mother myself I can’t begin to imagine the pain experienced over loosing a child. That is the saddest part, he was someone’s child, killed in vain and carelessly.

The family is now suing the City of Miami Beach Police department and rightfully so.

Below are some pictures from the memorial / protest.

Cop looking over the crowd