Last week, I called on Governor O’Malley to open a full investigation and inquiry into how we can prevent another death like that of Ethan Saylor.
Ethan Saylor was a 26-year old man with Down Syndrome. Last winter he was accidentally killed while being arrested by three deputies, attempting to remove him from a movie theater for watching a film for a second time without paying. Ethan never posed a serious threat to those around him, and eyewitness accounts clearly demonstrate that the altercation could have been avoided.
Ethan’s death was both tragic and unnecessary. And it was a wake up call. At every level, our public servants must be looking out for our most vulnerable citizens and treat all Marylanders with respect and dignity. Join me in calling on Governor O’Malley to launch a statewide audit of existing policies and a review of best practice models that will inform new protocols and statewide standards to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.
We cannot change the outcome for Ethan and his family, but we can change state and local policies to avoid future senseless tragedy.
If you agree, please add your name next to mine in calling on Governor O’Malley to launch a full investigation to protect the thousands of Marylanders with intellectual and other disabilities.
Let’s honor Ethan by protecting thousands more just like him.
Sincerely,
Heather