Tyron McAlpin wasn’t the suspect. On August 19, Circle K staff called 911 about a white man disrupting the store. When cops arrived, the employee pointed to McAlpin across the street. McAlpin, a Deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, had no idea this was going on. He was just walking home. But when police approached him, he became the “criminal” in the story.
After yelling commands, Phoenix cops forced McAlpin to the ground as they Tased and beat him. He spent 24 days in jail. His charges for resisting arrest and assault weren’t dropped until October. It’s no surprise that Phoenix police have been under Justice Department investigation for violence and discrimination against Black, Native, Hispanic, unhoused, and disabled people.
All Black disabled people face potential violence from police. One study found that over 50% will be arrested by their 28th birthday. Multiple studies also estimate that when cops kill, half their victims are disabled.
It’s only been 50 years since the last “Ugly Laws” were repealed, which allowed cops to arrest any disabled person for simply existing in public.
Fortunately, McAlpin survived. But victims like Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, and Sonya Massey have not. And by targeting Black disabled people, the police system continues to legitimize the idea that they’re inherently threatening – and disposable. Any system seeking to dehumanize is not a legitimate system.