Justice for Oscar Grant issues statement around call to assembly after Mehserle verdict
Justice for Oscae Grant #1, Youth Radio, http://www.flickr.com/photos/youthradio/4747478796/
We received this from a contact with a request to pass along--
FORWARD THIS WIDELY!
A verdict is expected SOON in the case of the Police Officer who
murdered Oscar Grant on a Friutvale BART platform 18 months ago! If you
are in the Bay Area:
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<><><><><>
WHEN THE VERDICT COMES, GATHER AT 6PM AT 14th AND BROADWAY
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**WHY SHOULD YOU COME?**
1. Because WE WILL NOT BE DIVIDED. Massive street protests were the only thing that forced Mehserle's arrest. Lets remind ourselves that the streets are where people are strong together, where real change is won.
2. Because WE WILL NOT BE PACIFIED. Our anger is justified. It does not need to be “vented” or “cooled-down”. If anything, we need more resistance, more action, more mobilization.
3. Because WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE, not the cause of it. Police are the only “outside agitators” in Oakland, and their violent behavior is what concerns us. We all know that police will blame the victim to try and justify their violence, by calling us violent. We won’t be manipulated.
4. Because THIS FIGHT IS NOT OVER. Whatever the verdict, our struggle continues. There is a long way to go to get justice for Oscar Grant, and for all victims of police violence. We need to stay united and active, to end police violence in our communities.
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**HELP US MAINTAIN A SAFE SPACE!**
While the gathering does not have an official “permit”, organizers still intend to maintain a safe space for everyone, and need your help to respect the tone of this rally. The rally will be in the intersection of 14th and Broadway. Organizers are also not planning a march and want to avoid arrests or police activity within this space. Please do not invite police to enter this space or provoke the police from anywhere within or close by to this space. Please do tell everyone you know about this gathering – the best safety is in numbers.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**HOW TO PREPARE!**
1. Text "follow justiceforoscar" to 40404. You’ll get a text when the verdict comes down and updates about what happens at the protest.
2. Write the legal hotline number (415-285-1011) on your arm or body. Call this number to report arrests or to get legal support if you are arrested..
3. Bring earplugs for you (and some to share). OPD has recently purchased a LRAD sonic "crowd control" device.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**DON’T BE FOOLED!**
The downtown gathering 14th and Broadway is being put on by legit community organizers who have been working for Justice for Oscar Grant for the last 18 months. Sadly, in recent days there has been a concerted effort by the mayor of Oakland, the OPD, and certain non-profits to disrupt our rally and keep people from gathering together. Please inform yourself and others! Many of those counter-organizing against our 14th and Broadway gathering have done nothing to fight for justice for Oscar Grant, and are more concerned with preventing property damage (helping the police) than they are with getting justice for Oscar Grant.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
NEXT STEPS:
This is not over! There is much new information that has become available during the trial, including the fact that Oscar Grant’s autopsy showed that Officer Tony Pirone’s beating caused serious head injury to Oscar Grant before he was shot by Johannes Mehserle. Our organizing is not over, not even close! Look for information about actions demanding charges for Tony Pirone and Marisol Domenici, the firing of all the other police on the platform, charging the BART police with federal civil rights violations, and the disbanding of the BART police department.
WHEN THE VERDICT COMES, GATHER AT 6PM AT 14th AND BROADWAY
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**WHY SHOULD YOU COME?**
1. Because WE WILL NOT BE DIVIDED. Massive street protests were the only thing that forced Mehserle's arrest. Lets remind ourselves that the streets are where people are strong together, where real change is won.
2. Because WE WILL NOT BE PACIFIED. Our anger is justified. It does not need to be “vented” or “cooled-down”. If anything, we need more resistance, more action, more mobilization.
3. Because WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE, not the cause of it. Police are the only “outside agitators” in Oakland, and their violent behavior is what concerns us. We all know that police will blame the victim to try and justify their violence, by calling us violent. We won’t be manipulated.
4. Because THIS FIGHT IS NOT OVER. Whatever the verdict, our struggle continues. There is a long way to go to get justice for Oscar Grant, and for all victims of police violence. We need to stay united and active, to end police violence in our communities.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**HELP US MAINTAIN A SAFE SPACE!**
While the gathering does not have an official “permit”, organizers still intend to maintain a safe space for everyone, and need your help to respect the tone of this rally. The rally will be in the intersection of 14th and Broadway. Organizers are also not planning a march and want to avoid arrests or police activity within this space. Please do not invite police to enter this space or provoke the police from anywhere within or close by to this space. Please do tell everyone you know about this gathering – the best safety is in numbers.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**HOW TO PREPARE!**
1. Text "follow justiceforoscar" to 40404. You’ll get a text when the verdict comes down and updates about what happens at the protest.
2. Write the legal hotline number (415-285-1011) on your arm or body. Call this number to report arrests or to get legal support if you are arrested..
3. Bring earplugs for you (and some to share). OPD has recently purchased a LRAD sonic "crowd control" device.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
**DON’T BE FOOLED!**
The downtown gathering 14th and Broadway is being put on by legit community organizers who have been working for Justice for Oscar Grant for the last 18 months. Sadly, in recent days there has been a concerted effort by the mayor of Oakland, the OPD, and certain non-profits to disrupt our rally and keep people from gathering together. Please inform yourself and others! Many of those counter-organizing against our 14th and Broadway gathering have done nothing to fight for justice for Oscar Grant, and are more concerned with preventing property damage (helping the police) than they are with getting justice for Oscar Grant.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
NEXT STEPS:
This is not over! There is much new information that has become available during the trial, including the fact that Oscar Grant’s autopsy showed that Officer Tony Pirone’s beating caused serious head injury to Oscar Grant before he was shot by Johannes Mehserle. Our organizing is not over, not even close! Look for information about actions demanding charges for Tony Pirone and Marisol Domenici, the firing of all the other police on the platform, charging the BART police with federal civil rights violations, and the disbanding of the BART police department.
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Nothing wrong with a protest. But based on past experience, there may well be some misguided folks at this event who choose to act out and vandalize private property and public property.
I suggest that in addition to writing down the legal hotline above in case of arrest and police misbehavior, that people should also bring cameras and camera phones to document police misbehavior AND protester misbehavior. If a cop gets too aggressive, take a picture and send it to the media. If a protester decides to smash up some innocent Oaklander's car for no reason, take a picture and send it to the cops.
My point: cops and protesters can both be out of line. Good citizens have a responsibility to act against bad behavior by anybody.
Protesters aren't the good guys or the bad guys. Cops aren't the good guys or the bad guys. It's just a bunch of people in the street, all with the potential to do the right thing or do the wrong thing.
Do the right thing: keep it peaceful, respect others, speak your mind, and hold your fellow humans to the same standard.
Monday, July 5
7:00-8:30 pm
There will be a special training by Bay Area Nonviolent Communication co-founder Miki Kashtan focusing on empathic response to charged political situations. The training is designed for people whose hearts are full with the impending news about the jury's verdict in the Oscar Grant/Mehserle case, and are drawn to support the nonviolent response in downtown Oakland after the verdict is announced. See: http://www.baynvc.org/community_announce.php
Violent, full of thugs, millions spent on police and the costs of repairs. Stupid - money that could have gone to schools, programs to prevent teen preganancy.
Why is it that the organizers of these events are the only people too ignorant to see what everyone can see a maile away. Why is it that their vision is so clouded that they can't think of something that might make a positive contribution to the community.
This protest was not a condemnation of the justice system, it did nothing to further the cause of the repressed. It did the opposite. It reinforced the need for a tough police force to protect us from thugs and looters - and that's all it did. Oscar grants family asked for non-violence, this "riot", lets call it what it was, disrespected their wish.
The organizers are naive idiots for thinking something else would come of this.