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People vs. Karen, Part 2: The False Accusation That Launched The #ProsecuteKatie Campaign
Sadie Martinez and Eddie Martinez stand for a portrait at Upper Noe Recreation Center in San Francisco on Oct. 8, 2023.
(
Pablo Unzueta
/
for LAist
)
Listen
28:33
People vs. Karen: Part 2
Part 2: When a Latino couple, Sadie and Eddie Martinez, is falsely accused by a white woman of attempted kidnapping, their lives are upended as the accusation goes viral. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin examines how the police’s investigation takes an unexpected turn and how the dark corners of the internet may have influenced the couple’s accuser. CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive subject matter Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Topline:
In 2020, Sadie and Eddie Martinez were falsely accused of attempted kidnapping by a white woman while shopping at a Michaels craft store. Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen, is the story of how Sadie held her accuser accountable.
What's in Episode 2: Sadie Martinez launches her #ProsecuteKatie campaign, and a journey to the darker corners of the Internet to understand why Sadie's accuser, Katie Sorensen, may have made her false charge. After the Petaluma Police Department cleared their names, Sadie Martinez held a press conference to call for Katie Sorensen to be prosecuted for her false attempted kidnapping accusation.
Is Katie a "Karen?" : Many people online viewed Katie as a "Karen." Jessie Daniels, a professor at Hunter College, defines a "Karen" as "a white woman who uses her entitlement to call state power down on people of color. It's thinking of 911 as a kind of concierge service that is designed for our comfort."
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Or did Katie engage with conspiracy theories? According to the police, Sorensen was “in significant engagement with QAnon conspiracy theories which tend to center around kidnappers and pedophiles.”
Where can I listen: You can listen to Imperfect Paradise wherever you get your podcasts, or right here:
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
