Three years later, a family and community is fighting for justice.
India Cummings was 27 when she died in 2016 after spending 16 days at the Erie County Holding Center.
The Rochester woman had been suffering from renal failure and was declared brain dead after she was taken to a hospital for treatment. She had a broken arm when she was first taken into custody. Family members and protesters gathered outside of the holding center Thursday to make their voices heard.
It was their final rally there after daily protests started on February 4.
"It's important to stand up for what's right and that's all we're trying to do here,” said Ivy Yapelli, a member of the Buffalo Anti-Racism Coalition. “We're trying to get justice for India."
A report from the New York State Commission of Corrections released last year designated Cummings’ death as a homicide. The report also said the staff at the holding center was slow to respond to her medical needs.
The state attorney general's office is investigating the case.
Earlier this month, her family filed a civil suit against more than 70 employees of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.