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California man shot in the back by Police
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Another day another unarmed man of color shot. Pardon my cynicism but I prayed and hoped that the Sean Bell incident would play as an alarm clock for the world. Mainly law enforcement; how many times do communities have to bury their youth because they have been killed by those who are paid to serve and protect them.
This is by no means an assault on law enforcement as a whole. While some individuals in law enforcement do a great job; those who find themselves caught up in the excessive use of force category create a black eye for the whole of law enforcement.
Now the police are doing their own investigation and I am sure that they will find this particular officer more than liable. I mean they have to, their are eyewitnesses who saw an unarmed man, who had one cops knee in his back laying face down on the ground and a police officer fired a shot into his back. That's murder! POINT BLANK!
If you are interested in getting involved in this effort you can follow some of the items below. We have to stand together as a people to fight these injustices. Not just black people; young white men, indian men, asian men, anyone can be the victim of police brutality and excessive force. It is unjust and quite simply not right, it is a violation of our civil rights as Americans. It is time that we demand to be treated as citizens no matter what our race, religion, or gender!
I'm sure you have heard about this horrific police shooting where a 22-year old African American male, a father and a completely innocent victim, was shot in the back by BART police on early New Year's morning at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, especially if you live in the Bay Area.
We need to make this national news - so please forward to friends and media all over the country to make sure justice is brought against the BART officers involved. If you haven't heard, please read the article below.
But, here's a short-hand version: four or five men were brought out of the BART train around 2am Jan 1, 2009 by BART police at the Fruitvale station. Apparently there was a scuffle or an argument on the train - it was very packed.
Witnesses say all the men pulled out (only Latino and Black men mind you) cooperated and were sat down in cuffs by the police. The police were aggressive in handling them even though the young men cooperated.
Many witnesses began to crowd around the scene and soon a shot was fired by a BART police officer and victim Oscar Grant, 22 years old, was shot in the back while he was face down on the floor. Many cell phones and cameras were confiscated that night from witnesses by the BART police and they say the cameras at the station were not operating that night (yah right).
Some witnesses however, got away with their footage and now it can be seen on the CBS website and other websites as well I'm sure. It's haunting to see the actual footage becuase it's so obvious that the officer was at fault and action needs to be taken. So far the officers at the scene have not even been questioned. The family is seeking criminal charges for the officer involved and sueing BART.
-Kei
5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting
Share w/ your peeps
by Makani Themba-Nixon
1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it (Thanks, Jabari For this link):http://digg.com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man
or
http://digg.com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man?OTC-em-st1
2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents' review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov
3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers' conduct and demand immediate action:
Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov
Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov
Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.
4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOYor Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)
5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.
peace,
makani
For those who haven;'t seen the horrific video take a look and note that this our tax dollars at work
Watch the video --
http://cbs5.com/local/oakland.BART.shooting.2.900634.html
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7, 2009
3-7pm
FRUITVALE BART STATION
OAKLAND, CA
JUSTICE FOR OSCAR GRANT PROTEST
For more info: evanshamar@gmail.com
(510) 750-2767
http://cbs5.com/local/oakland.BART.shooting.2.900634.html
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