Islan Nettles, the New Jersey 4 and the illusion of security for LGBTQ people of color
This account is so outrageous, so indicative of justice twisted beyond recognition, there's no way a short excerpt here would suffice.
Salon
Monday, Aug 18, 2014 12:15 PM EDT
“We thought we’d be safe”:Islan Nettles, the New Jersey 4 and the illusion of security for LGBTQ people of color
A frightening look at what happens when LGBTQ women of color refuse to accept street harassment and other violence
Victoria Law
(excerpt)
... The West Village has historically been known as a safe haven for LGBTQ people. People travel from various parts of New York and New Jersey to be in the neighborhood, walk around without feeling judged or to worry that their sexual orientation or gender identity will lead to an attack. But, eight years ago, seven young women learned that safety, even in a haven like the West Village, is never guaranteed.
On August 18, 2006, Renata Hill, Terrain Dandridge and five of their friends decided to go to the Village. All were young, black and lesbian. Outside the Independent Film Center (IFC), a small theater showing independent films, they were harassed by a man named Duane Buckle. When they told him they were gay, he threatened them with rape and physically attacked them. He threw his lit cigarette at them, ripped the hair from one woman’s head and choked another woman.
The seven women defended themselves and, at some point during the four-minute fight, were assisted by two unknown men. As Buckle attempted to choke Renata, her friend Patreese Johnson stabbed him with a pen knife. By the time the police arrived, the men who had jumped to the women’s defense had left the scene. Buckle was taken to the hospital, where he stated that men had attacked him, and released a few days later. The women were arrested, taken to the precinct and charged with gang assault, assault and attempted murder.
None of the women had prior records or histories of police involvement. Nevertheless, they were held without bail at Rikers Island while awaiting trial. Facing the possibility of twenty-five year sentences, three women accepted plea bargains and served six months. The remaining four — Venice Brown, Terrain Dandridge, Renata Hill and Patreese Johnson — pled not guilty and became known as the New Jersey Four. They were convicted and received sentences ranging from three-and-a-half to eleven years in prison....
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