On Friday, January 1st, 2010, two events took place in Oakland to commemorate the murder of Oscar Grant by BART police on New Year's Day 2009. The first was a vigil at the Fruitvale BART station organized by Oscar Grant's family, where a political and multi-faith group spoke in the memory of Oscar and for a future of hope, justice and action. In the evening, the community gathered at the Humanist Hall in Oakland for an artistic and cultural night dedicated to networking and education. Many poets, artists, activists, allies and family gathered. Initially, the Oakland Police tried to stop this event due to lack of a permit. Although it was scheduled on private property, the OPD insisted it was a "special circumstance" event and needed a permit. In the end, the movement-building event went on.

In Los Angeles, community activists made a strong presence inside and outside of the court house on January 8th. It was the first hearing for Johannes Mehserle since his murder trial was moved out of Alameda County.

Oakland Anniversary Events — Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Audio: 1 | 2 | 3 | Announcement

Los Angeles Hearing — Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Audio: 1 | 2 | 3
Reports: Killer Cop Update from First Los Angeles Status Hearing | Report Back: Successful Organizing Meeting for Los Angeles Oscar Grant Justice Coalition

See Also: Kiilu Nyasha & Emory Douglas: Remember Oscar Grant, Resist Police Brutality and Murder | Town Hall for Justice for Oscar Grant, Oakland, 12/19/09: audio | Remember BART PD? Let Them Know You Do at Public Forum on New Police Chief on 12/17/09 | Court Support Continues for People Arrested Demonstrating against Oscar Grant’s Murder | Protesters Demand: Drop Charges Against JR Valrey! | Protest at BART Public Meeting on New Police Chief | Town Hall for Justice on Mehserle Case and West Oakland Gentrification, 12/5/09: audio | BART Committee on Police Violence Caught on Camera, Hiring Police Chief, & New Year's Eve, 11/25/09: audio

Previous Related Indybay Features: Judge Orders Mehserle to Be Tried in Los Angeles County

Indybay Coverage of the Justice for Oscar Grant Movement