On the corner of E. 18th st. and Church Avenue, a crowd gathered on Friday to honor Kyam Livingston, a 37-year old mother of two who died in police custody exactly four years ago.
Livingston was arrested on July 20, 2013, after an argument with her grandmother in their home. Police say she was drinking vodka, which violated a specialized order of protection filed by her grandmother.
Livingston waited for arraignment in a holding cell with 15 other female inmates for 20 hours in total. Fellow inmates say that she began to complain of stomach pains and diarrhea, but was dismissed by officers. After seven hours, police say Livingston began to suffer from seizures. She was taken to Brooklyn Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.
“Rather than give Kyam medical attention she clearly needed, they ignored and belittled her until she died in her cell,” said Anita Neal, Livingston’s mother.
According to various news sources, Livingston was first transported to Kings County Hospital for treatment for intoxication, and then taken to the holding cell at Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
The medical examiner ruled Livingston’s death to be from a seizure related to chronic alcoholism. The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Brooklyn Federal Court, but the district attorney’s office did not find any criminality in the case, according to Brooklyn News 12.
Neal has held a rally every year since Livingston’s death. On Friday, she stood in front of a table adorned with photographs and belongings, and read the names of officers who had been in charge of her daughter.
“These are the ones that I hold accountable for my daughter’s death,” Neal said tearfully. “I want them to stand by me and tell me they couldn’t do anything for my daughter. That would give me peace, to see the officers who killed my daughter. If I need to get arrested and go to 120 Schermerhorn, that’s what I’ll do.”
Neal read letters that she had sent to city officials, holding them up for the crowd and adding “no response” after each one. She said that she had invited various officials, including City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush), adding “I don’t see him.” The crowd expressed anger towards the elected officials who they say had let them down.
“You vote for all these people, they claim they’re going to help. Nothing,” said Neal. “I’ve been here for 40 years, I’ve worked across the street for 38 years. Nobody can come to me and let me see who killed my daughter.”
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) spoke to the crowd as well. Though he represents District 45 rather than 40, where the event was held, he explained that he felt it was important to show up, because “there are no boundaries with these things. If it happens here, it’s happening on my side.
“This is where the fury comes in, with these communities. When we’re not given the respect that we deserve,” Williams said. “This is an election year. Nobody should get reelected until these families are getting answers.”
Jen Berkley, who is running for City Council in District 40, was also present at the event. She argued that being a council member was about more than to “shake a few hands and say how tragic it is.”
“We need someone in that seat who’ll fight for this community,” Berkley added.
In addition to calling for accountability, the group was collecting signatures for a petition to rename the street after Livingston. “If they can’t hold anyone accountable, I want something,” said Neal.
The crowd lined up against the wall alongside large photos of Livingston, each holding signs calling for justice and orange flowers, a color Neal said Livingston loved.
Chanting “Justice for Kyam Livingston, killed in a Brooklyn cell,” they made their way into the intersection. On the count of three, they released about twenty orange balloons and watched as they rose.
“Four years, and no one has been held accountable,” said Neal as held up a silver urn containing Livingston’s ashes. “I buried my daughter on her birthday. She would have been here. This is my daughter now. This is what I have now.”
