Protests Demand Justice for Sandra Bland & Black Teen Found Dead in Jail 1 Day Later

"Democracy Now!" airs weekdays at 9 a.m. PT on KCET.

In Texas, new information has emerged about the arrest of Sandra Bland, the 28-year-old African-American woman found dead in a jail cell in what authorities claim was a suicide by hanging. Bland was stopped for not signaling a lane change. Dash cam video shows Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia forced her from her car, threatening to "light [her] up," after she failed to put out her cigarette. Now, Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith says Bland told jailers she had previously attempted suicide. But an attorney for Bland's family said relatives have no evidence of a prior suicide attempt.

A local ABC station meanwhile obtained a voicemail Bland left for a friend while in jail. Video of Bland's arrest shows her accusing police of slamming her head into the ground and saying, "I can't even hear." Texas authorities have denied claims the 52-minute police dash cam video they released was edited, telling Mother Jones the apparent glitches in the video resulted from a YouTube upload error. Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in New York to honor Sandra Bland and highlight the case of Kindra Chapman, an 18-year-old African-American woman found dead in an Alabama jail cell one day after Sandra Bland was found dead. Protesters also honored India Clarke, the 10th transgender woman murdered so far this year. Tune in Friday when "Democracy Now!" will speak with Bland's family and their attorney.