Army Cover Up? Was it a rape-murder or suicide?

I still haven't seen the CNN report on Black in America. I purchased the series on iTunes last night (I don't have cable). But only the Black Man episode is available. I'm waiting for the Black women and family episode in particular as a black woman myself.

In the meantime, I got this letter from the ColorofChange.org site. I invite you to sign the petition. In my letter to Congress I added that it's time for them to stand up for us, to make us proud again to be Americans. Racial and sexual injustice anywhere is an affront to our national identity and it must be confronted in order to be true to our principles.

Dear Friend,

LaVena Johnson was 19 years old, serving in Iraq as a private in the Army, when she was raped, murdered, and her body was burned--by someone from her own military base. Despite overwhelming physical evidence, the Army called it a suicide and closed the case.[1]

For three years, LaVena's parents have been fighting for answers. At almost every turn, they've been met with closed doors or lies. But together we can help achieve justice for LaVena and other families who have suffered similar tragedies.[2]

Will you join me in standing with the Johnsons and calling on Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to investigate the Army's cover-up of Lavena's death? And ask your friends and family to do the same?

http://www.colorofchange.org/cbci/?id=1978-466895

Thanks.

1. "The cover-up of a soldier's death?" LavenaJohnson.com, March 6, 2007
http://www.lavenajohnson.com/2007/03/cover-up-of-soldiers-death.html

2. "Is There an Army Cover Up of Rape and Murder of Women Soldiers?" CommonDreams.org, April 28, 2008 http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/28/8564/