Sandy Still Speaks: Sigma Gamma Rho Remembers Sandra Bland on The 4th Anniversary

This week marked the fourth anniversary of Sandra Bland’s suspicious death in Texas.

Bland was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the national headquarters of the sorority just released a statement on their social media platforms honoring her legacy and her commitment to social justice.

Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old businesswomen and initiate of the Delta Alpha Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was found dead on July 10th, 2015 in a Texas jail cell. A huge public outcry started after people across the world started questioning the official police report which claims she committed suicide.

Sandra Bland was found dead in her jail cell in Waller County, Texas, at 9 a.m. after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a routine traffic stop.  Sheriff’s deputies say her death appears to be suicide by “self-inflicted asphyxiation.”

Bland was pulled over  while on her way to her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, for a speech on child welfare, civil rights, and social issues. Waller County Sheriff’s Department officials say that she was stopped for improper signaling a lane change. They say she was charged with “Assault on a Public Servant” and taken into custody by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper.

The sheriff’s department press release states that they applied CPR, but Bland was pronounced dead shortly after she was found.

The hashtag #JusticeForSandy, #SandySpeaks, and #WhatHappenedInBland have since hit the internet and have hit social media and have garnered millions of posts and reposts of family members, friends, and members of the Black greek community who are speaking out and questioning the official reports.

Her line sister, Alana Taylor, reached out to Watch The Yard with the following comment shortly after Sandra’s death:

“Sandra Bland is my line sister. Her personality and outlook on life alone DOES NOT resemble uncertainty or depression. She was a strong force that took life head on. Suicide would be the LAST thing on her mind as she was on the brink of starting a new chapter of life: a new job, a strong cause to fight for and a thick network of support. There are just too many discrepancies and holes in the official report. As far as her friends, chapter, alma mater and family are concerned: Sandy is still speaking and somebody is gonna listen. #SandySpeaks”