Feidin Santana is the man who captured the murder of Walter Scott, after he was pulled over for a broken tail light. Scott, who was shot in the back 8 times by former police officer Michael Slager, is seen running away from the officer in the video. Santana held on to the video before releasing it to Scott’s family because he wanted to see if the police would tell the truth.
“He wanted to see what reports were coming from the North Charleston Police Department because of the fact that they may have told the truth,” Anthony Scott, Walter’s brother, told TIME Wednesday. “And when they continued with the lies, he said, ‘I have to come forward.’”
Anthony also stated he didn’t understand how a traffic stop turned into his brother being killed. When Santana approached the family at Scott’s memorial service he was shocked at what he saw on the video.
“I was angry. Shocked,” Scott said. “I said, ‘We have to have that.’ So that we could prove it was innocent.”
April 9, 2015 -
Mr. Santana showed courage when it counted. My hat is off to him.
April 9, 2015 -
I’m concerned for Mr. Santana safety. We all know when you bring the truth to light about injustice, you are penalized. But he really is a brave soul and we need more like him in this world. I record everything these days….smh
April 9, 2015 -
I would not be surprised if he found himself being harassed by immigration authorities since he is a Dominican.
April 9, 2015 -
That was my first thought. They are going to find a way to deport him if he wasn’t already a citizen. But that doesn’t matter they can still find a way to get rid of him. What a brave soul.
April 10, 2015 -
that kid who recorded garner’s death is being held in jail on weapons & gun charges even though he posted bail w/money he got from gofundme. now they’re saying it’s b/c they wanna verify that none of the money donated to him came from criminal activity, which means even the good samaritans who are trying to help him out now get to have their finances combed through in retaliation. it’s an intimidation tactic to stop folks from helping people like him & santana who come forward w/evidence of police brutality. they’re a bunch of thugs/gangsters in uniform.
April 10, 2015 -
That’s a disgrace that he is being victimized like that!
April 13, 2015 -
Yup but that killer ZImmerman and many other pages for the cops in Ferguson, who much are those investigated?
April 13, 2015 -
you’re right. they did investigate zimmerman, but only b/c he was claiming to be to broke to afford the bail that they set & trying to hide his assets. they didn’t go fishing into donor’s finances to see if they were donating money from crimes.
April 10, 2015 -
I was considering this possibility as well. But then I kind of dismissed it because if this case goes to trial, then he would become a primary witness. It would be very difficult to deport a primary witness. Assuming he’s here illegally at all. I doubt it.
April 13, 2015 -
What if it doesn’t go to trial ??? Look at what happen in Ferguson and the Eric Garner case. These murdering police are allowed to get away with murder.
April 13, 2015 -
I did say “if” but it’s more likely to go to trial because of the kind of publicity it’s getting. GoFundMe rejected the cop’s fundraiser for one. They eventually went to another site but still, that didn’t happen with Trayvon Martin or Eric Gardner. The cops were caught red handed in the act (not surprising) but they were also caught covering it up.
We’ll see what happens.
April 9, 2015 -
they already started fundraising pages for that murderer. it’s only a moment of time before the racists come out the woodworks. as much as i applaud the bravery, if i was this young man, i’d lay low or move outside of sc.
April 9, 2015 -
I think he should have stayed anonymous.
April 9, 2015 -
Being known is risky, but it might be his best protection too.
April 9, 2015 -
That is true as well.
April 9, 2015 -
I was thinking this too. If you are anonymous, you die anonymously.
April 9, 2015 -
I guess it’s not easy to come forward with information like this, but perhaps he couldn’t live with his conscience if he kept that video to himself. Reminds me of the Snowden case.
April 9, 2015 -
The next time African Americans talk about Latino racism, remember that with both Eric Garner and Walter Scott, it was Latinos who came forth with videos that showed what really happened. In Staten Island, it was a Puerto Rican, in North Charleston, it was a Dominican. Yes, the Latino community has racial issues, but many, especially those from the Caribbean Basin, have a sense of solidarity with us too.
April 9, 2015 -
So because of these incidents we shouldn’t speak about latinos being racist? I don’t understand how one thing correlates to another. Also afro latinos… meaning you can be black and latino at the same time, kinda like chewing gum and walking.
April 9, 2015 -
If you read my post, you will see I nothing about not speaking of Latino racism. I said remember that some have stood with us. Like you said, it is kinda like chewing gum and walking.
April 9, 2015 -
You can do both…. Call out the racism and understand that some stand in solidarity. Walking and chewing gum people.
April 9, 2015 -
I wrote the post you with which you have an issue, and I have re read it multiple times since your response. No where in my original post did I say African Americans could not discuss or criticize Latino racism. You are criticizing me for something I did not say.
I also specifically noted that in both instances the Latinos in question were from the Caribbean Basin, a region where a large percentage of people have a noticeable amount of African descent (visible African features.) That statement was an implicit recognition of the fact that person can be of Latino and African heritage. I also acknowledged racism among Latinos which clearly suggests that discussion of that racism is legitimate since my own statement recognized its existence.
April 9, 2015 -
I agree, afro latinos exist, we are in agreement on that point.
April 9, 2015 -
I did indeed say that. I mentioned two Latinos who helped black people by sharing their recordings.
If you are going to criticize me, please do it for something I actually said.
April 9, 2015 -
I didn’t criticize you dude, I simply shared my opinion. I live in los angeles where there are majority latinos and I come across a lot of their racism so I wanted to say that yea, we have some allies in the latino community and we also have some latinos that are racist, thats all.
April 9, 2015 -
OK.
April 10, 2015 -
Anthony, stop being so educated and placing things in larger, historical contexts please-lol
April 10, 2015 -
Yes’m!
April 9, 2015 -
You know, I hear that a lot from my friends who live here in L.A. While I know it’s true, I find it so unbelievable that we have this divide between us. My very first best friend was Anessa Escobar, an El Salvadorian. LAPD must have started this ish. SMH
April 10, 2015 -
girl, I grew up in lynwood so you know whats up lol. And your friends name is dope :p
April 9, 2015 -
You can do both…. Call out the racism and understand that some stand in solidarity. Walking and chewing gum people.
April 9, 2015 -
Chewing gum and walking. Lol. Ok.
April 10, 2015 -
Im an asshole sometimes but hopefully a cool one tehe.
April 10, 2015 -
Not sure why you’re saying you’re an asshole????
April 10, 2015 -
As I reread Anthony’s comments he was sincere in his comments and I was kind of sarcastic in my response. I could have been kinder, but I’m trying to do better.
April 9, 2015 -
Don’t worry, there are those of us who know that there are many people in other minority communities fighting against oppression. No doubt there is a lot more work to do, but it’s happening to my own surprise. I think the next 50 years in America will be very interesting.
April 9, 2015 -
He’s a Black man too, albeit Dominican/Latino/Hispanic.
April 9, 2015 -
I am so thankful for this man and his decision to record those events. It really is a blessing that there was a witness who captured it on tape.
April 9, 2015 -
So far this
year, the police in America have killed over 300 human beings. Santana desires
great respect for his courage in recording the evil, extrajudicial murder of
Mr. Walter Scott. Santana, during this time need support and solidarity. The
crime of police murder ought to be condemned and real changes must transpire (like
community control of policing, the end to the War on Drugs, etc.) in our
society, so black people won’t be killed by law enforcement. We are oppressed
domestically and imperialism has oppressed other overseas (via drone strikes,
targeted assassination, and other imperialist wars). We express great concern
for Santana’s safety. The forces of reaction will slander this man without
question. Yet, we stay strong for the sake of our ancestors and for the sake of
the grieving family of Walter Scott. No cop should kill non-threatening human
beings with impunity. We will defend human rights and seek total justice.
April 9, 2015 -
truthseeker you always write so passionately and logically, if you don’t mind can i ask if you are a professional writer? Your comments are often the thoughtful, positive messages that should be forwarded to policy makers. Earlier today I was sent a request to call the White House and ask that changes are made regarding this slow genocide affecting us, and I truly didn’t know what to say without ranting. Your post here would be perfect to eloquently convey the anguish we feel, and also justly references oppression by this country abroad as well.
April 9, 2015 -
Hello Sister.
Well, I am not a professional writer. I’m flattered. One reason why I write eloquently, because I have been reading a lot of books. The more that I read, the better that I articulate messages which are relevant for people. Also, my mothers knows how to write information and she has a love for reading too. So, I have my love of reading from my mother. My interest in politics and social justice matters comes from my father.
Thank you for your words. For long centuries, our ancestors have intrepidly fought for freedom. Even after the scourge of Jim Crow, we are not totally free. Therefore, we should know about these issues and use forthright, courageous social activism as a way for us to see our posterity witness a world where police occupation & terrorism are extinguish and where we can be truly free indeed.
April 9, 2015 -
Stay safe brotha.
April 9, 2015 -
So Kanye gets upset about some nonsense at the Grammys, but has he said anything about this? Or perhaps Beyonce? I know they were silent when people were protesting about Garner and Brown. Stevie Wonder showed up and said his piece. Like it or not, celebrities can raise awareness about something. The “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people” comment got the attention of many people. A few words from them in social networks might help.
April 9, 2015 -
I wrote this exact comment on another site right after Trayvon’s death. Stevie Wonder is too old to still be fighting this fight. What do celebs do all day anyway? They could organize all types of protests…if they weren’t puppets. This is why people believe that there is this “illuminati” who controls them. It doesn’t make sense that celebs don’t speak up. One would think that one (if not all) of these stories would strike a nerve and The Carters or The Wests (okay, well at least Kanye) would take a stand.
April 10, 2015 -
After all these incidents their silence really is deafening, isn’t it?
April 11, 2015 -
I agree — but I do disagree with stevie wonder being too old to be fighting this fight. stevie will never give up fighting the good fights all the way to the end.
April 12, 2015 -
So, Stevie Wonder is too old? What is he suppose to do, sit in his easy chair and smoke a cigar? This is everyones’ fight, young and old. As for the so called black celebrities, who gives a f*ck about them. They are what they are and no more.
April 10, 2015 -
I have been on other comment sections and brought this up. Just like the guy who captured Eric Garner being murdered they came after him. I was concerned about this gentleman as well