Crime

‘When They See Us’ incites boycott of former prosecutor Linda Fairstein

ROLLINGOUT — The electrifying Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” which is the true story of the “Central Park 5” teens that Fairstein wrongly prosecuted for the rape of female jogger Trisha Meili in the 1980s, is inspiring a major revolt against her.

Published

7 years ago

June 7, 2019

Oakland Post

By Terry Shropshire

Former prosecutor Linda Fairstein is forced to see us now.

Terry Shropshire

The electrifying Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” which is the true story of the “Central Park 5” teens that Fairstein wrongly prosecuted for the rape of female jogger Trisha Meili in the 1980s, is inspiring a major revolt against her.

Fairstein has since gone on to become a bestselling novelist under the name Alexandra Cooper, where she writes about her experiences as a New York City prosecutor.

Despite the ferocious blowback to Fairstein’s work that sent the men to prison for many years, she still stands by her decision and says it was wrong to overturn the convictions, according to the New Yorker.

But in 2014, NYC ended up paying $40M to the freed Central Park Five — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise — after Matias Reyes confessed to the crimes in 2002 and his DNA matched the evidence.

Even more damning is the fact that Fairstein helped disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein evade prosecution for sexual improprieties, even as Weinstein later confessed to the crimes while being secretly recorded:

Linda Fairstein, the sex crimes prosecutor who coerced false confessions out of the Central Park Five, helped Harvey Weinstein evade assault charges. She later told NYT she found @AmbraGutierrez’s complaint to be unfounded
Weinstein confessed on tapehttps://t.co/6x6GRA0V7C pic.twitter.com/R6QZ5KUHNR
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 1, 2019

Fairstein has heard the backlash. According to BET.com, Fairstein has been forced to shut down all of her social media accounts since the four-part miniseries premiered on May 31.

Someone has also ravaged Fairstein’s Wikipedia page:

To the person who corrected @LindaFairstein ‘s Wikipedia page, I hope you have an amazing day! #WhenTheySeeUs pic.twitter.com/7gCjmknytB
— Jermaine Taiwo (@sevadelsur) June 1, 2019

Ava DuVernay (director of Selma, A Wrinkle in Time, and OWN’s “Queen Sugar”) created, wrote and directed “When They See Us,” which painstakingly and heartbreakingly details all of what those teens endured and how Fairstein prosecuted them without physical evidence.

Unsurprisingly, folks are going after Fairstein full throttle, with Newsweek reporting that social media users created the hashtags #CancelLindaFairstein and #BOYCOTTSIMONSCHUSTER, in order to get Simon & Schuster to drop the author from their roster.

According to Esquire, the Mystery Writers of America rescinded the prestigious Grand Master title, a lifetime achievement award given to Fairstein, after other authors protested because of her work on the Central Park Five.

Also, there is a Change.org petition that demands publishers and booksellers cease the production and sales of Fairstein’s novels.

And, of course, Twitter and Instagram users are steadily ripping Fairstein without relent:

White women have always supported white supremacy.
.@LindaFairstein should be criminally investigated for her hand in the convictions of the #CentralPark5.
Carolyn Donham Bryant should be prosecuted for telling lies that got #EmmettTill murdered and his murderer acquitted. pic.twitter.com/RpcSrXaWuP
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) June 3, 2019

With the help of #ballerart, we have found another case of possible framing & wrongful prosecution by @LindaFairstein. We are demanding that Manhattan District Attorney, @CyVanceforDA, re-open her sex crimes convictions and investigate. This woman is a criminal!
— Tamika D. Mallory (@TamikaDMallory) June 2, 2019

@LindaFairstein should be in jail. I’m so glad her literary honor was rescinded by Edgar awards but she still has a flourishing publishing career. She almost ruined those men’s lives.
— Babe (@baddestbossbabe) June 3, 2019

@LindaFairstein should be behind bars for sending innocent children to jail. #WhenTheySeeUs #lindafairstein
— G (@jhxselin) May 31, 2019

Watching #WhenTheySeeUs and nothing angered me more than #LindaFairstein’s conduct during the investigation. Thank you @ava for shining a light.
— G O L D I E. (@goldietaylor) June 2, 2019

The prosecutor in #WhenTheySeeUs @LindaFairstein is now a multiple time author writing for kids
Anyone with a book deal with this woman need rescind it. Immediately. She destroyed not just the lives of the exonerated 5, but a whole community for decades since
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) June 3, 2019

Looks like #LindaFairstein deleted her account, your Time is up you vile disgusting creature #WhenTheySeeUs #CentralParkFive pic.twitter.com/SnB80KY2Zf
— 🍕Brit_Kid_Kenny 🍕#TwitchLdn (@Brit_Kid_Kenny) June 3, 2019

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins’s Bill Would Pause Law Enforcement’s Use of Shock Gloves Pending Study

The device at the center of the debate is known as the G.L.O.V.E., an acronym for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement awarded a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 pairs of the gloves, which are designed to deliver an electric shock through an officer’s hand.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

Post News Group

Asm. Dr. LaShae-Sharp Collins (D-San Diego). File photos by Antonio Ray Harvey. April, 29 2025.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

A bill temporarily prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using electric shock gloves in California is awaiting action by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2760, authored by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), passed the Senate 29-9 on Aug. 31. The Assembly concurred in Senate amendments the same day on a 55-16 vote.

The bill would prohibit state, local and federal law enforcement agencies from using wearable electroshock devices in California until Jan. 1, 2030. It would also bar agencies from using state funds to purchase the devices and require them to update their use-of-force policies accordingly.

Traditional handheld devices, including tasers and stun guns, are exempt.

Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill. If he takes no action, it will become law without his signature.

Sharp-Collins introduced the measure after reviewing information indicating that the devices could cause serious injury or death if used without adequate safeguards and training.

“AB 2760 draws a line that public safety technology must be proven safe and accountable before it is employed. Not after someone is killed or injured,” said Sharp-Collins, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

“Our commitment is to protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable. That is what AB 2760 is about and that is what AB 2760 will do,” Sharp-Collins told her colleagues.

During the Assembly debate, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton), also a CLBC member, thanked law enforcement representatives for helping negotiate amendments to the bill.

“This is something new to us (and) it’s something that absolutely should be studied,” Ransom said. “I appreciate law enforcement for agreeing to work with the legislature to figure out if this is an appropriate tool to be used.”

Neither the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department nor the Los Angeles Police Department has reported using electric shock gloves. However, the Santa Monica and El Monte police departments have obtained devices for testing.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office purchased 10 shock gloves as part of a $35,000 acquisition that also included 10 remotely activated shock bands. Sheriff’s officials had been developing training and policies for the devices before AB 2760 advanced.

State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) opposed the legislation, arguing that it would unnecessarily force agencies to change their use-of-force policies and could compromise public safety.

“I don’t disagree with the author that the electric shocks are not a great option, but at the end of the day, I think it’s important to understand that we need to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep themselves safe and the community safe,” Strickland said.

Supporters countered that wearable electroshock devices have not been sufficiently studied and could pose particular risks to immigrants, children, older adults and other vulnerable groups.

“People who are Black or Brown could be test subjects for these gloves of torment,” Mark González (D-Los Angeles) said. “I appreciate law enforcement for agreeing to work with the legislature.”