The community members in Seattle hold a rally for Kandula, 23, who was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave on January 23
Our Bureau
Seattle, Wash.
Around 200 people from different communities in Seattle held a rally at an intersection where Jaahnavi Kandula was struck and killed by a speeding police patrol car. They were demanding justice for the Indian student, Kandula, and the resignation of 2 Seattle police officers.
In bodycam footage released on Monday by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Daniel Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on way to a report of a drug overdose call as she was crossing the street.
Around 200 people on Thursday took part in a rally to seek justice for her and accountability for the officer who killed her and for a police union leader’s comments about the crash.
Speakers at the rally criticized the police system, saying it is built on white supremacy, and the criminalizing and undervaluing of the lives of Black and Indigenous people and other people of color, as per the report.
With signs reading “Jail killer cops,” “Justice for Jaahnavi,” and “End police terror,” people living in nearby apartments came to join the crowd.
Participants at the rally in South Lake Union described this incident as “disgusting” and “abhorrent” and sought the resignation of Auderer and the officer who struck Kandula, Dave.
Seattle resident Rafael McPeek said he hoped to send a message that police officers can’t get away with killing someone while speeding through city streets or making comments questioning the value of someone’s life.
