Town Hall Covers Mehserle Case and Recall of Orloff, Oakland, 3/21/09: photos and audio

http://www.OneFam.org

(audio 6:10)

Tony Coleman discusses the need to involve youth in the struggle for justice for Oscar Grant.

http://nojusticenobart.blogspot.com

(audio 9:09)

Krystof discusses the objectives of the NJNB campaign and encourages the community to get involved in the next demonstration at MacArthur BART on Thursday, March 26th.

(audio 1:19:49)

Shanta Driver discusses the legal issues surrounding the upcoming murder trial of Johannes Mehserle, which begins this Monday, March 23rd, at 9am, with a pre-trial hearing to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed with trial. Other issues that potentially could arise Monday include a reduction of the charge against Mehserle and a venue move.

Shanta Driver covers both Mehserle's Defense Attorney's Motion to Set Bail and DA Orloff's Motion in Opposition to Defendant's (Mehserle's) Release on Bail for what can be gleaned regarding upcoming strategies and competencies of the defense and the DA. She also reviews the known video evidence for what it reveals about the murder, the cover-up, and Tony Pirone's criminal actions at the scene. Similar issues were discussed at BAMN's Oscar Grant Tribunal on March 4th.

BAMN has a noon rally scheduled outside the Alameda County Courthouse this Monday to coincide with the pretrial hearing and they are encouraging everyone who can to show up at 8:30am to attend the trial itself and/or to stand up for justice outside of the courthouse.

(audio 23:36)

Keith Muhammad talks about the rarity of successful murder and abuse prosecutions of police officers nationwide, which leads into the specific discussion of the Town Hall effort to recall DA Tom Orloff.

(audio 18:55)

Discusses the early technical difficulties with the campaign to recall Tom Orloff and proceeds to officially initiate the effort by asking attendees to come forward and and sign the petition which is the first step in recalling the DA for his negligence and incompetence in enforcing the law equally for all citizens of Alameda County.

Keith Muhammad discusses the unjust laws that prevent prosecutions of corrupt police and those that unfairly target communities of color. He announces that the Town Hall's second Caravan for Justice to lobby Sacramento legislators is coming up on Wednesday, April 8th.

http://www.caravanforjustice.com
first Caravan for Justice: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/25/18573374.php

(audio 4:39)

Diana Davis-Marks extends gratitude from Oscar Grant's mother to supporters and activists for their work in seeking justice. She also addresses Saturday's killing of OPD officers and expresses condolences for their families.

Pastor Gordon Humphreys of Olivet closes the Town Hall with a prayer.