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BAMN Oscar Grant Tribunal, Oakland, 3/4/09: photos and audio
On Wednesday, March 4th, 2009, By Any Means Necessary held an "Independent Public Tribunal to Investigate the Killing of Oscar Grant" at the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland.
Speakers included Shanta Driver, National President and lawyer for BAMN; Tracy Cooper, mother of one of Oscar Grant's friends who was present on BART platform when Oscar was murdered; Jack Bryson, father of two friends of Oscar Grant on BART platform; Bobby Johnson, uncle of Oscar Grant; Kenneth Carrethers, victim of violence by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle six weeks prior to the murder of Oscar Grant; and Stephanie Montoya, sister of Jerry Amaro who was beaten to death by Oakland Police Internal Affairs head Capt. Edward Poulson in 2000.
Reverend Ramona Tascoe of Allen Temple Baptist welcomed attendees and introduced the first speakers.
Speakers included Shanta Driver, National President and lawyer for BAMN; Tracy Cooper, mother of one of Oscar Grant's friends who was present on BART platform when Oscar was murdered; Jack Bryson, father of two friends of Oscar Grant on BART platform; Bobby Johnson, uncle of Oscar Grant; Kenneth Carrethers, victim of violence by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle six weeks prior to the murder of Oscar Grant; and Stephanie Montoya, sister of Jerry Amaro who was beaten to death by Oakland Police Internal Affairs head Capt. Edward Poulson in 2000.
Reverend Ramona Tascoe of Allen Temple Baptist welcomed attendees and introduced the first speakers.
Listen now:
(audio 4:54)
From BAMN's announcement:
End the Cover-up
Both the District Attorney—who normally works on behalf of the police—and BART are engaging in a coordinated cover-up. It is now clear that it is the aim of District Attorney Tom Orloff’s office to let Johannes Mehserle, who shot Oscar Grant, and Tony Pirone, Mehserle's accomplice who held down Oscar Grant and coordinated the cover-up, get away with murder. Orloff charged Mehserle with murder two weeks after he shot Grant, only after massive community protest. He did not seriously oppose granting Mehserle bail. He still has not charged Tony Pirone and the other BART police who were accomplices to Oscar Grant's murder and cover up, yet he is prosecuting protesters who have stood up against this injustice. Mayor Ron Dellums has not spoken out against the handling of the investigation and the prosecution of this case. He must end his silence and condemn the cover-up. Mayor Dellums should make clear he seeks justice for Oscar Grant and is prepared to defend black and Latina/o youth of Oakland against police terror, brutality, and murder.
It is clear that Oscar Grant is not going to get justice through the police, the Alameda prosecutor's office, or any of the official bodies. What is needed now is an independent investigation and an independent public tribunal of and for the people of Oakland and the Bay Area to gather as much information as possible so that the truth of Oscar Grant's killing is not buried. BAMN calls on unions, churches, and community organizations to join us in pulling together this independent investigation and series of public hearings. Any witnesses who saw the killing or who has evidence should get that evidence to BAMN, either directly or anonymously. If we can document the truth of what happened on New Year’s night and share it with the public, we can make sure that District Attorney Orloff conducts a serious prosecution of Mehserle and all the BART police who assisted in Grant’s killing.
Allen Temple Baptist Church
8501 International Blvd., Oakland
http://www.allen-temple.org
BAMN
Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary
http://www.bamn.com
From BAMN's announcement:
End the Cover-up
Both the District Attorney—who normally works on behalf of the police—and BART are engaging in a coordinated cover-up. It is now clear that it is the aim of District Attorney Tom Orloff’s office to let Johannes Mehserle, who shot Oscar Grant, and Tony Pirone, Mehserle's accomplice who held down Oscar Grant and coordinated the cover-up, get away with murder. Orloff charged Mehserle with murder two weeks after he shot Grant, only after massive community protest. He did not seriously oppose granting Mehserle bail. He still has not charged Tony Pirone and the other BART police who were accomplices to Oscar Grant's murder and cover up, yet he is prosecuting protesters who have stood up against this injustice. Mayor Ron Dellums has not spoken out against the handling of the investigation and the prosecution of this case. He must end his silence and condemn the cover-up. Mayor Dellums should make clear he seeks justice for Oscar Grant and is prepared to defend black and Latina/o youth of Oakland against police terror, brutality, and murder.
It is clear that Oscar Grant is not going to get justice through the police, the Alameda prosecutor's office, or any of the official bodies. What is needed now is an independent investigation and an independent public tribunal of and for the people of Oakland and the Bay Area to gather as much information as possible so that the truth of Oscar Grant's killing is not buried. BAMN calls on unions, churches, and community organizations to join us in pulling together this independent investigation and series of public hearings. Any witnesses who saw the killing or who has evidence should get that evidence to BAMN, either directly or anonymously. If we can document the truth of what happened on New Year’s night and share it with the public, we can make sure that District Attorney Orloff conducts a serious prosecution of Mehserle and all the BART police who assisted in Grant’s killing.
Allen Temple Baptist Church
8501 International Blvd., Oakland
http://www.allen-temple.org
BAMN
Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary
http://www.bamn.com
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Thank you for posting this! It is very true to the event. I will link to this coverage in our emails and website. :)
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