Sigma Gamma Rho Releases Official Statement Calling For Members Not To Hashtag Or Protest The Death Of Sandra Bland

On Thursday, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. released an official statement addressing the death of their sorority member, Sandra Bland who died suspiciously in Texas jail cell on Monday. The statement from the sorority calls for the end of hashtags, petitions and commenting on the death and also asks that no protests or marches be held.

According to the statement, these requests are coming from the family of Sandra Bland.

The hashtag #JusticeForSandy, #SandySpeaks, and #WhatHappenedInBland have created a large wave on social media and have even become trending topics on Twitter. The African-American community, friends, classmates, social justice advocates and members of the Black fraternities and sororities have been speaking out since the story went viral on Tuesday, questioning the official reports from the police department which claim that Sandra died after “self-inflicted asphyxiation.”

Sandra was a member of the Delta Alpha Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Before the official statement about not commenting on the death was released by Sigma Gamma Rho, her line sister, Alana Taylor, reached out to WatchTheYard.com with the following comment about 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”

Please read the official Sigma Gamma Rho statement below.