07/05/2020
From Allies to Abolitionists Denver is a grassroots movement demanding the abolition of systemic racism across our city and state. Below is one account of such systemic racism for which our community demands justice and accountability.
On April 20, 2018, Denver artist Raverro Stinnett left a gala just after midnight and walked to Union Station to catch a train home. When Stinnett left Union Station three hours later, he had a brain injury resulting in permanent brain damage. Raverro was beaten in a bathroom by a private security guard with Allied Universal Security, a firm working under a multi million dollar contract with the Regional Transportation District (Denver RTD). Three of the officers involved in the violent assault— Victor Diaz, Taylor Taggart and James Hunter — pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection to the incident. A fourth was not charged because he is a cooperating witness in the investigation. Learn more: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/14/rtd-allied-security-raverro-stinnett-union-station/
Allied Universal Security's practices of racial profiling and excessive use of force among RTD passengers reflects the company's values and substandard training of its security guards.
In addition to Denver RTD's contract of an upwards of $50 million with Allied Universal Security, the City of Denver has hired the firm's services to patrol emergency coronavirus homeless shelters. According to the contract, the contractors will check bags, support enforcement of shelter rules, patrol the area for drug and alcohol use, and guard areas from unauthorized entry. Guards will be posted around the shelter, including near the showers. Learn more: https://denverite.com/2020/05/04/discomfort-grows-as-denver-hires-allied-private-security-guards-to-patrol-emergency-coronavirus-homeless-shelters/
As concerned citizens against systemic racism and violence, we demand that the City of Denver and Denver RTD terminate all current and outstanding contracts with Allied Universal Security effective immediately. In doing so, we not only demand accountability for this egregious crime of racial profiling and assault against Raverro but we also seek to preserve the safety and inclusiveity of our public spaces for all our citizens.
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