It was party time yesterday at the 112 Park bar and lounge in Harlem for a commemoration for the anniversary of the Central Park 5. On April 19th 1989 5 young black and brown teens were arrested and charged with the rape and severe beating of the woman who came to be known as the Central Park Jogger, Trisha Meili. When it was thought these 5 youth were responsible for the rape they were seen as the worst of the worst by the Mainstream Media. Even Donald Trump who took out a full page add to call the young men Animals and to call for the “Death Penalty”.
Even after the young men were exonerated 12 years ago, due to the fact that the actual assailant came forth himself to admit he was the Sole rapist and assailant, Matias Reyes, who crossed paths with Korey Wise, the eldest of the teens who was in the same prison, Donald Trump is STILL angry the CP5 are getting the settlement they deserve.
The CP5 were called animals by just about every institution in the city but, it should have been clear that none of the 5 were the real assailants. None of their DNA matched the victims and their so-called “confessions” were spun from pressure from the interrogating officers telling them they could leave and go home if they admitted they did it. Interrogated with No lawyer present for hours and unable to see their parents beforehand, the teens were intimidated into confessing and imprisoned for over 10 years.
Even the real attacker, Reyes, had more conscience than the NYPD who put them there because he knew Korey Wise was imprisoned for what he did. Reyes confessed that it was him alone who attacked the CP jogger and gave detailed descriptions only he could know. He had also raped other women over the years, tying them up with their clothes, his M.O. The DNA even matched Reyes and none of the 5 teens.
Thanks to Ken Burns and the documentary the Central park 5, which brought to light the real injustices of the case, the failure of the Police, the Press and the courts who are more interested in making a “career” for themselves at the expense of Truth and putting away 5 young, innocent teens.
The CP5 were given about 10 Million each, one million for each year they spent in jail. Mayor DeBlasio said he just wanted to get this case done.
A D.J. from WBLS was on hand to crank out some tunes as folks ate, danced and had cocktails to celebrate a, better late than never, victory, 25 years later.
Cat Watters’ photo gallery:
Leave a Reply