Disclaimer: Lillian LaFemina is the Artist Editor at The Daily Campus
The devastating death of Nolan Wells has sparked nationwide anger, along with renewed distrust for the justice system. For many, this case serves as an ongoing reminder of a corrupt system that protects white men and buries black bodies. Whether or not the boys did it, I truly cannot say. But I can say I feel an anger growing around me. Julia Nzita, Tasia Fortune, Kyle Bassinga and Keith Porter all died in heinous ways, yet their cases were closed quickly and their killers are walking free. In most of these cases, the cause of death was concluded as a suicide. I stand by the side of many activists, though, who have been repeating the notion that “black people don’t hang themselves” for centuries now.
Amid these concerning deaths, I have heard people around me shake their heads and claim, “But what can I do? I’m not in Mississippi or North Carolina, how am I supposed to help these people?”
I think the answer is one most people like to avoid, because it requires patience, effort and lots of research. One of the best ways to support the black community in a period of civil unrest is to start local: Begin with learning about the issues in your state, town and offices. One of the biggest cases I think we should all focus on (and support) is the death of Steven Christopher Barrier in Stamford, Conn.
On Oct. 23, 2019, 23-year-old Steven Barrier left his house after a family disagreement, reported by police as a domestic violence incident. Six police officers, responding to the original 911 call, found and apprehended Steven. The Bodycam footage shows Steven being dragged down a hill by police with a bleeding head while he tried to explain that he had a respiratory condition and was struggling to stand. The police understood that Steven suffered from mental illness and instead of taking him to a hospital, as his mother asked when he had psychotic episodes, they drove him to the police department. While Barrier is unconscious and handcuffed, the police are seen laughing, joking about waking him up with a credit card under his nose. Barrier was eventually driven to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on his birthday.
It has been six years since Steven died, and his family is still fighting for justice. Since his death, no cops have been fired or investigated. Valerie Jaddo, Barrier’s mother, is asking for the release of all body cam footage and an investigation into the police officers present. She also wants Barrier’s body to be exhumed, after a meeting with Mayor Caroline Simmons and the retraction of the police statement saying a taser was never used on her son.
Barrier is not the only man to die at the hands of police during a mental health crisis in Connecticut. Similarly, Everard Walker was shot and killed by Hartford police in 2026. Only a week later, Steven Jones was also killed by Hartford police. Both were experiencing mental health crises, like Barrier, and should have been treated as such.
Barrier, Jones and Walker all deserve so much better. It is our duty as Connecticut citizens to hold police accountable for murdering innocent people instead of giving them the psychiatric care they need. If you want to be a part of the solution, you can donate to Steven Barrier’s family at Justiceforstevenbarrier.com, or demand justice from the Stamford town using the steps provided on the Steven Barrier Instagram page.
After Barrier, there are so many other people who need justice. Connecting with your town’s Facebook group is a good way to understand what’s happening. Additionally, reading local news from multiple perspectives can educate one on how to respond and take action against injustice. It doesn’t just have to be turning on the TV and watching news channels; it can be listening to the radio, podcasts or staying updated on local activist groups in your area. These are just a few ways to get in touch with your community while also giving back to the people who need it.
On the horizon, I truly hope a day comes where black men, women and children are allowed to live full lives without being shackled and killed at the hands of negligent white people. What we can do to make that future happen is to continue educating ourselves on systemic racism and prejudiced thoughts.