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Cece McDonald sentenced to 41 months for defending herself against vicious racist transphobic attack
crossposted from the Feminist group and the LGBT groupFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2012
Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald Sentenced to 41 Months for Reduced Charge of Manslaughter
Supporters Vow Ongoing Solidarity with McDonald for Duration of Sentence
Contact: Katie Burgess, Executive Director, Trans Youth Support Network, transyouthsupportnetwork (at) gmail.com, (612) 363-757 and Billy Navarro Jr, MN Transgender Health Coalition, mntranspr (at) gmail.com, (612) 823-1152
Minneapolis—This afternoon, Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald was sentenced to a 41 month prison sentence by Judge Daniel Moreno. Although McDonald initially faced two charges of second degree murder, earlier this month she accepted a plea agreement to a reduced charge of second degree manslaughter due to negligence. The sentencing proceedings included statements from community leaders, clergy, and McDonald’s family, testifying to McDonald’s loving character and expressing concern for her safety if she is sentenced to serve time in a men’s prison, given the high rates of physical and sexual violence against transgender women in men’s prisons. Around 80 Twin Cities residents arrived to show their support for McDonald, overflowing the courtroom where sentencing proceedings were held.
Although McDonald has been under state supervision for the past 366 days (in jail and under in-home monitoring) the judge determined that she will only receive credit for 275 days served, excluding the time she spent on in-home monitoring. Between this time served and time off for good behavior, McDonald will likely spend less than two more years in prison. Additionally, McDonald was ordered to pay $6410.00 in restitution.
The Department of Corrections has not determined where McDonald will spend the remainder of her sentence, but it is likely that she will go to one of Minnesota’s men’s prisons. In recently released federal standards on the elimination of sexual abuse in prisons, the Department of Justice notes that transgender people should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to place them where they will be in the least danger (not solely based on genitals). Moreover, the DOJ guidelines seek to minimize the use of solitary confinement for the alleged protection of transgender prisoners. These standards apply to state prisons that receive federal funding. They may impact McDonald, who has been held in a men’s facility for the past year, and twice been sent to solitary confinement against her will.
For supporters, McDonald’s sentencing marks a turning point, but not an end to their efforts. “This is not a resolution to CeCe’s case: she should not be serving time simply for surviving a vicious attack. But the prosecution felt so much pressure in this high profile case that they knew they had to offer a less egregious charge than second-degree murder, ” said Josina Manu. “We’ll stand by CeCe throughout her sentence and after she’s released.”
Supporters have consistently rejected County Attorney Michael Freeman’s claims that the prosecution of McDonald is race and gender-neutral, emphasizing that McDonald’s attack and prosecution are part of a pervasive culture of violence against transgender women of color. They note that Freeman’s responses to CeCe’s broad support campaign only underscore the fact that the criminal legal system provides no real means of securing justice and community safety.
Roxanne Anderson, the Director of the MN Transgender Health Coalition and McDonald’s former employer, said, “Today was a shining example of how hate and fear result in racism and transphobia, and how those play out in the courts of our land. I hope people keep supporting CeCe in every way they can, including showing up to the Power to the People tent at Pride, which was created to squash this kind of racism and transphobia.”
Billy Navarro Jr of the CeCe McDonald Support Committee & MN Trans Health Coalition reflected on the fight to free McDonald: “Our victory today is the beautiful community of support that CeCe has brought together. We will keep fighting back against the incarceration of our loved ones and community members. This June marks the 43rd anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, which was led by trans women of color, and this year we’ll be celebrating CeCe’s courage and the struggles that women like her have led for decades.”
For more information on McDonald’s case, visit supportcece.wordpress.com.
###
http://freececemcdonald.tumblr.com/
[center] http://vimeo.com/35665967 [/center]
...
Slurs preceded deadly fight
McDonald was charged with second-degree murder after the melee outside the Schooner Tavern that occurred when Schmitz's group taunted McDonald's group, who were black, with racist and homophobic slurs and a woman smashed a glass in McDonald's face, leaving a cut that required 11 stitches.
McDonald then stabbed Schmitz in the chest with a pair of scissors or a knife. He died at the scene.
...
http://www.startribune.com/local/157000805.html
Slurs preceded deadly fight
McDonald was charged with second-degree murder after the melee outside the Schooner Tavern that occurred when Schmitz's group taunted McDonald's group, who were black, with racist and homophobic slurs and a woman smashed a glass in McDonald's face, leaving a cut that required 11 stitches.
McDonald then stabbed Schmitz in the chest with a pair of scissors or a knife. He died at the scene.
...
http://www.startribune.com/local/157000805.html
How to Write Your First Letter to Someone in Prison
“When someone hears their name called by a prison guard during mail call it can be a powerful reminder that people on the outside care about them, and it sends a message to guards and other inmates that this person has support and isn’t forgotten. This can be a vital harm reduction strategy for people who are locked up, especially queer and trans people. Additionally, many people are incarcerated far from their communities or may not have a lot of support from the outside world; many queer and trans people may be in “protective custody” or solitary confinement and may not have a lot of daily contact with others or time out of their cell. A quick letter of support or a long-term correspondence can be a great way to keep their spirits up and let them know they aren’t alone.”
Info and resources to help you take action and write to CeCe McDonald. Also an important reminder that CeCe is not alone, this article includes links to programs for writing other LGBT people that have been incarcerated.
Read the full article
“When someone hears their name called by a prison guard during mail call it can be a powerful reminder that people on the outside care about them, and it sends a message to guards and other inmates that this person has support and isn’t forgotten. This can be a vital harm reduction strategy for people who are locked up, especially queer and trans people. Additionally, many people are incarcerated far from their communities or may not have a lot of support from the outside world; many queer and trans people may be in “protective custody” or solitary confinement and may not have a lot of daily contact with others or time out of their cell. A quick letter of support or a long-term correspondence can be a great way to keep their spirits up and let them know they aren’t alone.”
Info and resources to help you take action and write to CeCe McDonald. Also an important reminder that CeCe is not alone, this article includes links to programs for writing other LGBT people that have been incarcerated.
Read the full article
...
The Department of Corrections has not determined where McDonald will spend the remainder of her sentence, but it is likely that she will go to one of Minnesota’s men’s prisons. In recently released federal standards on the elimination of sexual abuse in prisons, the Department of Justice notes that transgender people should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to place them where they will be in the least danger (not solely based on genitals). Moreover, the DOJ guidelines seek to minimize the use of solitary confinement for the alleged protection of transgender prisoners. These standards apply to state prisons that receive federal funding. They may impact McDonald, who has been held in a men’s facility for the past year, and twice been sent to solitary confinement against her will.
...
Supporters have consistently rejected County Attorney Michael Freeman’s claims that the prosecution of McDonald is race and gender-neutral, emphasizing that McDonald’s attack and prosecution are part of a pervasive culture of violence against transgender women of color. They note that Freeman’s responses to CeCe’s broad support campaign only underscore the fact that the criminal legal system provides no real means of securing justice and community safety.
Roxanne Anderson, the Director of the MN Transgender Health Coalition and McDonald’s former employer, said, “Today was a shining example of how hate and fear result in racism and transphobia, and how those play out in the courts of our land. I hope people keep supporting CeCe in every way they can, including showing up to the Power to the People tent at Pride, which was created to squash this kind of racism and transphobia.”
Billy Navarro of the CeCe McDonald Support Committee reflected on the fight to free McDonald: “Our victory today is the beautiful community of support that CeCe has brought together. We will keep fighting back against the incarceration of our loved ones and community members. This June marks the 43rd anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, which was led by trans women of color, and this year we’ll be celebrating CeCe’s courage and the struggles that women like her have led for decades.”
http://supportcece.wordpress.com/
The Department of Corrections has not determined where McDonald will spend the remainder of her sentence, but it is likely that she will go to one of Minnesota’s men’s prisons. In recently released federal standards on the elimination of sexual abuse in prisons, the Department of Justice notes that transgender people should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to place them where they will be in the least danger (not solely based on genitals). Moreover, the DOJ guidelines seek to minimize the use of solitary confinement for the alleged protection of transgender prisoners. These standards apply to state prisons that receive federal funding. They may impact McDonald, who has been held in a men’s facility for the past year, and twice been sent to solitary confinement against her will.
...
Supporters have consistently rejected County Attorney Michael Freeman’s claims that the prosecution of McDonald is race and gender-neutral, emphasizing that McDonald’s attack and prosecution are part of a pervasive culture of violence against transgender women of color. They note that Freeman’s responses to CeCe’s broad support campaign only underscore the fact that the criminal legal system provides no real means of securing justice and community safety.
Roxanne Anderson, the Director of the MN Transgender Health Coalition and McDonald’s former employer, said, “Today was a shining example of how hate and fear result in racism and transphobia, and how those play out in the courts of our land. I hope people keep supporting CeCe in every way they can, including showing up to the Power to the People tent at Pride, which was created to squash this kind of racism and transphobia.”
Billy Navarro of the CeCe McDonald Support Committee reflected on the fight to free McDonald: “Our victory today is the beautiful community of support that CeCe has brought together. We will keep fighting back against the incarceration of our loved ones and community members. This June marks the 43rd anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, which was led by trans women of color, and this year we’ll be celebrating CeCe’s courage and the struggles that women like her have led for decades.”
http://supportcece.wordpress.com/
SF Dems call on DOJ to investigate McDonald case
Thursday, May 24, 2012
San Francisco’s Democratic Party has adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Justice Department to review the case of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald, 23, a Minneapolis transgender woman imprisoned for what supporters call an act of self-defense.
According to the resolution, McDonald “was targeted in a vicious racist and transphobic attack” in Minneapolis in 2011. In the incident, she killed Dean Schmitz with a pair of scissors.
...
In the resolution, passed Wednesday, May 23, San Francisco’s Democratic County Central Committee calls on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other officials to immediately review the case for possible civil rights violations.
According to Gabriel Haaland, one of the many local LGBT Democratic committee members who submitted the resolution, votes for the proposal were “all yeses,” except for abstentions by Representative Jackie Speier (San Mateo), Senator Dianne Feinstein (San Francisco), and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
...
McDonald’s local supporters say that the judge in McDonald’s jury trial ruled against admitting evidence that included her attacker’s swastika tattoo and a “lengthy” record of convictions for assault and other crimes.
...
A DOJ spokeswoman couldn’t immediately comment on the likelihood of the department investigating the case.
http://www.californianewstoday.com/sf-dems-call-on-doj-to-investigate-mcdonald-case.html
Thursday, May 24, 2012
San Francisco’s Democratic Party has adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Justice Department to review the case of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald, 23, a Minneapolis transgender woman imprisoned for what supporters call an act of self-defense.
According to the resolution, McDonald “was targeted in a vicious racist and transphobic attack” in Minneapolis in 2011. In the incident, she killed Dean Schmitz with a pair of scissors.
...
In the resolution, passed Wednesday, May 23, San Francisco’s Democratic County Central Committee calls on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other officials to immediately review the case for possible civil rights violations.
According to Gabriel Haaland, one of the many local LGBT Democratic committee members who submitted the resolution, votes for the proposal were “all yeses,” except for abstentions by Representative Jackie Speier (San Mateo), Senator Dianne Feinstein (San Francisco), and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
...
McDonald’s local supporters say that the judge in McDonald’s jury trial ruled against admitting evidence that included her attacker’s swastika tattoo and a “lengthy” record of convictions for assault and other crimes.
...
A DOJ spokeswoman couldn’t immediately comment on the likelihood of the department investigating the case.
http://www.californianewstoday.com/sf-dems-call-on-doj-to-investigate-mcdonald-case.html
You can read some details about the ugly racist and transphobic slurs that started it all here http://www.omniaveteranova.com/wp/category/dean-schmitz/
The following is from a report compiled by The National Black Justice Coalition based on the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS).
Key Findings
• Black transgender people lived in extreme poverty with 34% reporting a household income of less
than $10,000/year. This is more than twice the rate for transgender people of all races (15%), four times
the general Black population rate (9%), and over eight times the general US population rate (4%).
• Black transgender people were affected by HIV in devastating numbers. Over one-fifth of
Black respondents were HIV-positive (20.23%) and an additional 10% reported that they did
not know their status. This compares to rates of 2.64% for transgender respondents of all
races, 2.4% for the general Black population, and 0.60% of the general US population.
• Nearly half (49%) of Black respondents reported having attempted suicide.
• Family acceptance: Black transgender people who were out to their families reported that their families
were as strong as before they came out at a higher rate than the overall sample of transgender respondents.
• Discrimination was pervasive for all respondents who took the National Transgender Discrimination
Survey, yet the combination of anti-transgender bias and persistent, structural and individual
racism was especially devastating for Black transgender people and other people of color.
• Black people who attended school as transgender persons people reported alarming rates of harassment (49%), physical assault (27%) and sexual assault (15%) at school. Harassment was so severe it lead 21% of respondents to leave school with 6% being expelled due to bias.
• Respondents who were harassed and abused by teachers in K-12 settings showed dramatically worse health and other outcomes than those who did not experience such abuse. Peer harassment and abuse also had highly damaging effects.
• Black transgender people have a 26% unemployment rate, two times the rate of the overall transgender sample and four time the rate of the general population.
• 32% of Black transpeople lost a job due to bias and 28% were not hired for a job due to bias.
• 46% of Black transgender people were harassed, 15% were physically assaulted and 13% were sexually assaulted at work.
• Half of the respondents (50%) reported that had been compelled to sell drugs or do sex work for income at some point in their lives.
• Black trans people reported various forms of direct housing discrimination- 38% reported having been refused a home or apartment due to bias and 31% reported being evicted due to bias.
• 41% of Black respondents said they had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, over five times the rate of the general US population. Of those who experienced homelessness and tried to access shelters, 40% were denied access altogether. Of those who managed to get into those shelters, 61% experienced harassment, 32% physical assault and 31% sexual assault.
• Black trans people are less likely than trans respondents of other races to own homes with a home ownership rate of 14%. That compares to 32% percent for transpeople of any race and 67% of the general US population. The minority home ownership rate according to HUD was 47%
• 21% of Black trans people reported being refused medical care due to bias.
• 34% of Black trans people reported having postponed care when sick or injured due to fear of discrimination.
• While African Americans in general have lower suicide rates than other racial groups as shown by research, nearly half (49%) of the Black transpeople in the NTDS survey reported having attempted suicide. It’s higher than the 41% rate for transgender people of all races and 1.6% of the general US population
• 38% of Black transgender people who interacted with the police reported sexual harassment, 14% reported physlical assault and 6% reported sexual assault.
• 35% of Black trans people have been arrested or held in a cell due to bias at some point in their lives.
• Half of the respondents (51%) reported discomfort in seeking police assistance
• 29% of the African American respondents who had been to jail or prison reported being physically assaulted and 32% reported being sexually assaulted while in custody
Facts taken from http://www.transequality.org/PDFs/BlackTransFactsheetFINAL_090811.pdf and http://www.transadvocate.com/black-transpeoples-burden-the-nbjc-report-on-the-ntds-findings.htm
• Black transgender people lived in extreme poverty with 34% reporting a household income of less
than $10,000/year. This is more than twice the rate for transgender people of all races (15%), four times
the general Black population rate (9%), and over eight times the general US population rate (4%).
• Black transgender people were affected by HIV in devastating numbers. Over one-fifth of
Black respondents were HIV-positive (20.23%) and an additional 10% reported that they did
not know their status. This compares to rates of 2.64% for transgender respondents of all
races, 2.4% for the general Black population, and 0.60% of the general US population.
• Nearly half (49%) of Black respondents reported having attempted suicide.
• Family acceptance: Black transgender people who were out to their families reported that their families
were as strong as before they came out at a higher rate than the overall sample of transgender respondents.
• Discrimination was pervasive for all respondents who took the National Transgender Discrimination
Survey, yet the combination of anti-transgender bias and persistent, structural and individual
racism was especially devastating for Black transgender people and other people of color.
• Black people who attended school as transgender persons people reported alarming rates of harassment (49%), physical assault (27%) and sexual assault (15%) at school. Harassment was so severe it lead 21% of respondents to leave school with 6% being expelled due to bias.
• Respondents who were harassed and abused by teachers in K-12 settings showed dramatically worse health and other outcomes than those who did not experience such abuse. Peer harassment and abuse also had highly damaging effects.
• Black transgender people have a 26% unemployment rate, two times the rate of the overall transgender sample and four time the rate of the general population.
• 32% of Black transpeople lost a job due to bias and 28% were not hired for a job due to bias.
• 46% of Black transgender people were harassed, 15% were physically assaulted and 13% were sexually assaulted at work.
• Half of the respondents (50%) reported that had been compelled to sell drugs or do sex work for income at some point in their lives.
• Black trans people reported various forms of direct housing discrimination- 38% reported having been refused a home or apartment due to bias and 31% reported being evicted due to bias.
• 41% of Black respondents said they had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, over five times the rate of the general US population. Of those who experienced homelessness and tried to access shelters, 40% were denied access altogether. Of those who managed to get into those shelters, 61% experienced harassment, 32% physical assault and 31% sexual assault.
• Black trans people are less likely than trans respondents of other races to own homes with a home ownership rate of 14%. That compares to 32% percent for transpeople of any race and 67% of the general US population. The minority home ownership rate according to HUD was 47%
• 21% of Black trans people reported being refused medical care due to bias.
• 34% of Black trans people reported having postponed care when sick or injured due to fear of discrimination.
• While African Americans in general have lower suicide rates than other racial groups as shown by research, nearly half (49%) of the Black transpeople in the NTDS survey reported having attempted suicide. It’s higher than the 41% rate for transgender people of all races and 1.6% of the general US population
• 38% of Black transgender people who interacted with the police reported sexual harassment, 14% reported physlical assault and 6% reported sexual assault.
• 35% of Black trans people have been arrested or held in a cell due to bias at some point in their lives.
• Half of the respondents (51%) reported discomfort in seeking police assistance
• 29% of the African American respondents who had been to jail or prison reported being physically assaulted and 32% reported being sexually assaulted while in custody
Facts taken from http://www.transequality.org/PDFs/BlackTransFactsheetFINAL_090811.pdf and http://www.transadvocate.com/black-transpeoples-burden-the-nbjc-report-on-the-ntds-findings.htm
So when the TransGriot and other African descended trans people tell you that in various forums, panel discussion and other venues that being an African descend transperson isn’t easy and we have serious problems that demand attention and legislative relief, none of us are sellin’ you woof tickets on that.
And it’s why we go ballistic every time we get dissed, dismissed or ignored when we try to tell our stories or are excluded from venues and forums that would allow us to do so.
http://www.transadvocate.com/black-transpeoples-burden-the-nbjc-report-on-the-ntds-findings.htm
And it’s why we go ballistic every time we get dissed, dismissed or ignored when we try to tell our stories or are excluded from venues and forums that would allow us to do so.
http://www.transadvocate.com/black-transpeoples-burden-the-nbjc-report-on-the-ntds-findings.htm
I'm sorry this was so long.
12 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
the judge in McDonald’s jury trial ruled against admitting evidence that included her attacker’s swastika tattoo ...
thank you so much for posting this info again. i hope she gets tons of books!! 
I hope the James Baldwin book will wait that long but if it doesn't, that's ok too.
All the support is making a difference. And it's growing too so don't cry, they can't stop our quest for justice
“So far, CeCe is doing pretty well. She has a relatively positive attitude and she’s been excited to see the support around her remaining throughout the process,” says Katie Burgess, the executive director of the Minneapolis-based Trans Youth Support Network. Burgess maintains constant contact with McDonald and she serves as a key strategist in what has become an international support campaign.
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/06/when_it_comes_to_where_cece_mcdonald_will_serve_her_time_the_devil_is_in_the_details.html
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/06/when_it_comes_to_where_cece_mcdonald_will_serve_her_time_the_devil_is_in_the_details.html
great book choice for CeCe!!
and thank you so very much about my crying. it just breaks my heart.
i also often cry out of fury.
i will keep up on the news of CeCe's progress.
i am shocked, still, that lawyers did not aggressively defend her self defense. wtf?! 
of course, i am intensely aware that that is the fate of countless innocent blacks. and i am a lesbian, so i am intimately aware that crimes against lgbt...s have occurred with complete impunity throughout the entire history of this country, to this day.
please keep us up on what you hear about her. thank you, again.
just to make the connection a little more personal.
I think her lawyers really tried but Female? Black? Transgender? Not elite? Against a White man? That's 5 strikes in an ugly, rotten 3-strike game.
I'll keep watching and updating. What infuriates me is that there's so much to watch. And in 2012!
sis
"Female? Black? Transgender? Not elite? Against a White man? That's 5 strikes in an ugly, rotten 3-strike game." enragingly YES
aaaAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
how i would LOVE to see CeCe's reaction to receiving that precious book from you, dear Catherina!!!
"sis"
sis
The silver lining is that she has so much support and hopefully we can get some laws passed about this.
Here's the latest I could find, there's not much. Everyone seems to be waiting for a cue from her but there aren't any.
Stay strong Cece
Thanks dear nofurylike, it's good to stand together with you for her
CECE MCDONALD AND OTHER TRANSGENDER WOMEN REGULARLY KEPT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, ‘A HUGE, HUGE COST FOR PROTECTION’
Mara Keisling, the Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, appeared on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show with an update on Cece McDonald, the transgender woman who was recently sentenced to 41 months in a Minnesotan men’s prison. Harris-Perry reported that McDonald is only 1 of 10 transgender women housed in the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and that most of the women are kept in an “administrative segregation cell,” which is essentially solitary confinement under the auspices of protection. According to Keisling, McDonald made a call from prison, reporting that while initially she had been kept in solitary confinement, she has now been released to the general prison population. Keisling argues that while we don’t yet know exactly what Cece herself wants, putting transgender people in administrative segregation is a “huge, huge cost for protection” and “not enough is being done to properly classify transgender people in the prison system.” Watch it:
VIDEO
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/06/11/497112/cece-mcdonald-and-other-transgender-women-regularly-kept-in-solitary-confinement-a-huge-huge-cost-for-protection/?mobile=nc
CeCe's divine mission.
YES: "Stay strong Cece" !!!
good for Melissa Harris-Perry! again!
thank you for more information on this!
"it's good to stand together with you for her"
gratitude!
that means a lot to me, dear Catherina
it is an honor to stand with you, and with and for CeCe.
