Seeking Justice for Allan Feliz: A Brother’s Fight Against Police Violence
SAY THEIR NAME - Episode 7
Samy Feliz's world was shattered when his brother Allan was killed by police in 2019. Now, he's on a mission to ensure no other family endures the same pain. In this compelling episode of Say Their Name, Samy shares his journey from grief to activism, revealing the challenges of seeking justice in a system that often protects its own.
Allan Feliz: More Than a Tragedy
Samy paints a vivid picture of Allan as a loving, caring soul with a heart of gold. "He was the type of person that would go out to a restaurant and bring food back for someone on the block who'd never tried it," Samy recalls. This generosity extended to everyone Allan met, from children to grandparents. His loss left a gaping hole in the family and community.
The Fatal Encounter
On October 17, 2019, Allan was pulled over for an alleged seatbelt violation. What should have been a routine stop escalated rapidly. Samy details the harrowing sequence of events, from unnecessary aggression to the fatal shot fired by NYPD officer Jonathan Rivera. The most gut-wrenching detail? Allan lay bleeding for 16 minutes, just half a block from a hospital.
Fighting an Uphill Battle
Samy's pursuit of justice has been fraught with obstacles:
Delays in releasing Allan's body
A gag order from the Attorney General's office
Years-long internal investigations
Statute of limitations issues
"We have to make noise. We have to make it now. We can't allow cases like this to be buried under the rug." - Samy Feliz
A Glimmer of Hope
In a historic move, Deputy Commissioner Maldonado recommended Lt. Rivera's termination. Now, Samy and his supporters are pushing for swift action. "It won't bring Allan back," Samy acknowledges, "but we want to provide a safer New York and not allow this to happen to another family."
Call to Action
Samy's fight isn't over. He calls on New Yorkers to demand accountability:
Support the call for Lt. Rivera's immediate termination
Contact local officials to voice concerns about police accountability
Stay informed about cases of police violence in your community
Follow the Feliz family journey and their fight here (IG - @justicecommittee & @justiceforallan)
Samy Feliz's story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of police violence and the importance of persistent advocacy. To hear more about his journey and the ongoing fight for justice, listen to the full episode of Say Their Name.
Ready to dive deeper into the Feliz family’s story? Listen to the full episode for more on the life of Allan and Samy’s fight for justice. And remember, until truth and justice are obtained, we will always Say Their Name.
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