On June 11, 2025 a black man believed to be Earl Smith was found hanging from a tree in Albany, New York. Authorities quickly ruled it a suicide. But questions remain. Why isn’t there a more thorough investigation? Why the rush to close the case?
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earl Smith is sadly one of five black and brown men found hanging from trees in public spaces across the country in recent weeks from New York to California.
There’s a long and violent history behind images like this in America. And when officials offer few answers and no transparency we continue to see them as part of the problem in our communities.
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