Kyam Livingston's Family Holds Vigil On One Month Anniversary Of Her Death
Last night at 6pm, dozens of family members and supporters gathered outside Brooklyn Central Booking to remember 37-year-old neighbor Kyam Livingston, who died in a cell there on July 21 after guards allegedly denied her pleas for help for seven hours.
Kyam’s family was in attendance, as well as friends, lawyers, clergy members, community leaders, and relatives of New Yorkers killed by police, as her family believes Kyam was.
“No other family should have to go through this,” Kyam’s childhood friend Dayann Molina McDonough began by saying. “I have to pray for justice, and for the truth to come out.”
Kyam’s 21-year-old son, Alexander Livingston, spoke quietly and carefully. He said his first priority was to make sure all procedures were properly followed while investigating his mom’s death to make sure this never happens again.
Kyam’s sister Ashanta then tried to address the crowd, but was not able to continue.
Alleah Holland was one of, she estimates, nearly 20 women who shared what she described as a filthy cell with Kyam in her final hours. She was the one who first spoke up about what happened leading up to Kyam’s death.
“This street is cleaner than that cell,” she said, referring to the small patch of asphalt cordoned off for the vigil. “If anybody goes to hell, that would be a similar condition.”
A Registered Nurse of 17 years, Alleah said she could tell Kyam’s suffering was not alcohol-related, as guards allegedly suggested, and encouraged officers to get Kyam medical assistance. She said she warned officers Kyam could die, but didn’t even believe it herself until it happened.
“Humans don’t work here,” she said, gesturing to the building at 120 Schermerhorn. “The prisoners took better care of her than the guards.”
Livingston family attorneys and Loyda Colon of the Justice Committee praised Alleah for coming forward about what happened leading up to Kyam’s death, and for trying to get Kyam help when officers allegedly told her they’d “lose” her paperwork if she didn’t keep quiet.
Loyda went on to condemn police victim-blaming, saying a belief that someone is drunk is no excuse not to give them medical care. Kyam’s mother Anita Neal agreed, saying she’s tired of hearing the claims that Kyam was an alcoholic–but either way, medical care should not have been withheld from her.
“In this case,” said attorney Jay Schwitzman, “Ms. Livingston was judged before she was charged with a crime.” Having seen the inside of Brooklyn Central Booking many times, he agreed conditions were deplorable, and insisted police hand over video footage of Kyam’s death.
The Department of Corrections has denied this footage exists. The Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the case, which will also be reviewed by the Law Department. Livingston family lawyer Elliot Taub said he’d leave no stone unturned to find out the truth of what happened in Kyam’s cell.
Relatives of New Yorkers killed by police, including Malcolm Ferguson‘s mother Juanita Young, Anthony Rosario’s mother Margarita, and Gregory Chavis‘ mother Danette Chavis, came to show solidarity.
“I’ve struggled for 19 years for my son,” said Nicholas Heyward. 13-year-old Nicholas Heyward, Jr. was shot while playing with a toy rifle at the Gowanus Houses in 1994. “I don’t appeal to elected officials anymore. I appeal to people.”
Her wounds still fresh, though, Kyam’s mother Anita promised that every Brooklyn Central Booking officer she believes ignored Kyam will hear from her.
“What are you here for,” she yelled, “if you can’t help somebody in pain? Nobody’s gonna rest until I get justice for my daughter.”
To learn more about the Livingston family’s mission, you can attend a rally for Kyam on Church Avenue and E 18th Street, Saturday, September 21 at 12pm, and keep up with Justice for Kyam Livingston.