The Boy Who Lost his Life for Not Stealing a Rucksack

Kalief Browder sent to Rikers for three years at the age of sixteen.

Photo by Keagan Henman on Unsplash

Kalief Browder was a happy teenager, returning from a party. He was stopped by two policemen and arrested on suspicion of stealing a rucksack. Known as peanut to his friends, he was the youngest of seven children. Before entering Rikers, Browder was described, by his teachers, as a fun guy.

He never stood trial but was h…