Oscar Grant was shot in cold blooded fashion by the Bart Police on New Year Day - in the wee hours of the morning - at the Oakland Bart Station. Oscar Grant was 22 years and employed as a butcher. He was doing well and loved his young daughter.

People say Oscar Grant had a great smile - but now that smile is forever - gone.

People say Oscar Grant loved sports and was a great sportsman. But, today - Oscar Grant is no more.

If we the people do not take a stand - then we can blame ourselves - if another incident such as this - takes place on our watch. We can talk the talk - but is there anyone of us that really can walk the walk. Walk the walk with authority and stop the Law Enforcement blatant killing of Black men and others of color - without impunity?

Oscar pleaded for his life - begging the Bart Police not to shoot him - that he had a young daughter - but, all in vain. The Bart Police Officer shot him point blank, at close range and while he was hand cuffed and lay on his face.

After shooting Oscar Grant the Bart Police Officer looked up then at this fellow Bart Officer - and knew that he was wrong and what is more - committed a crime in front of many - people.

The Bart Police were quick to confiscate some cell phones from some passengers - that had recorded the incident. But, so many had the incident on tape - that this incident made it to the Television Station and made news all over the world.

The lawyer John Burris has filed a $25 million law suit - but this sum does not do justice to a racist Bart Police Force that has committed such crimes - before, at many different Bart Stations - and no one has had the guts to take these scoundrels on.

Even before anyone knew it - the Bart Officer who shot Oscar Grant - had a lawyer on hand - who directed all questions to him and complete silence from the rogue Bart Officer.

One week passed and there was no incident report from the rogue Bart Officer that killed Oscar Grant. Then just like that - the Bart Officer left the force and thinks this blatant crime will blow away and that NO justice will be done.

Daily hundreds are pissed off and rightly so - by this sordid incident.

Daily many Blacks are sick and tired of Law Enforcement and especially the Bart Police - thinking they can without impunity - beat and treat Black Bart passengers - like pariah dogs.

Now, this one Bart Police Officer has crossed the line - and the time has come to settle scores on many fronts.

Law Enforcement tends to think that all Blacks are criminals. This is wrong.

If half the folks in jails are Black it is for this reason. Once charged - and many a time falsely - thousands of Blacks linger in jails - and even if they get out from behind the wall - they are left with scars that affected them but more their families and loved ones.

Judging from the behavior of some rogue Police Officers - there must be a law that charges should be pressed and such rogue officers - and that they go to jail at once. Why? Because the rogue officers - must know better. If these officer kill with intent - as happened in this case - then the severest penalty must be imposed.

But, it seems a law prohibits Law Enforcement and Police Officers being charged immediately - and when this law was passed - many of us were asleep - while the devil was at work.

It is very true that Oscar Grant died in vain. It is very true that we must do something to change the sordid policies that Law Enforcement - uses to treat - every day citizens with disdain.

The other youth who were with Oscar Grant were handcuffed and treat badly for over 6 hours.
The Bart Authorities have not apologized about this fact.

The double faced Bart Board of Directors have failed us all - and many of them need to be charged - too. Dereliction of duty. The people should not listen to their double talk as we listened to some of these Bart Directors at a very large gathering today in Oakland.

Many intelligent Black speakers spoke about what should be done. Many called for Unity and for quick adjudication from the District Attorney and the Mayor of Oakland who has been asleep and has failed to have a hands on approach.

Oakland has made the news and for all the wrong reasons.

There is too much crime in Oakland - sending a wrong signal to rogue Police Officers and others. This must change and we must not give rogue Police Officers an opportunity to shoot and kill at will - with or without justification. Taking a life is something serious - and every Police Office must remember that.

This incident involving Oscar Grant has made world headlines - soon hundreds of folks will come from all over the Nation - to address this situation but more the discrimination of Blacks - here, there, and everywhere - in Oakland.

Town Hall meetings are planned all over California. Now, is the time for thousands to gather in Sacramento and send a clear signal about Rogue Police Officers and other injustice meted out to Blacks and other people of color.

Here are some photographs from one such event - where hundreds gathered to address the injustice done to Oscar Grant:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157612419205486/show/

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocact

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