Feature Archives

On September 20th, a police officer shot and killed a man on the street in North Oakland. Gary King, age 20, had just exited a store on the corner of 54th street and MLK. Apparently an Oakland police sergeant approached him for questioning. The details of what happened next are unclear, but it seems that it involved the officer using a taser. King pulled away and it appears that during his attempt to flee, the officer shot him twice in the back. A memorial with candles and personal items is set up at the place where the shooting occurred. On September 24th, over 100 family, friends, neighbors and other concerned people protested at Oakland City Hall against the murder of Gary King. There will a protest every Thursday at 12 noon at Oakland City Hall

On September 19th, after more than two full days of deliberation, a 12-person jury informed Judge Jeffrey Miller they were hopelessly deadlocked and determined that further deliberation would not deliver unanimity. Outside the courtroom, attorneys were informed that the majority was voting for acquittal of the environmental and animal rights activist on trial for a speech he gave in San Diego in 2003.

While asking U.S. Senator John Kerry a question during a question and answer period on September 17th following Kerry's speech at the University of Florida, Gainesville in Alachua County, student Andrew Meyer was attacked by police officers, manhandled and tasered. Videos posted on the Internet show Meyer screaming for help as he is being tasered by a police stun gun. Kerry and the majority of the audience looked on mostly in silence.

On September 11th, 2007 Robert Norse was prepared to present a speech to the community and City Council of Santa Cruz during the Oral Communications period of the City Council meeting. The first two minutes of the speech was read by Coral Brune. However, Mayor Reilly did not allow Robert Norse to speak during Oral Communications, citing a lack of time, and therefore prevented the full speech from being heard during the City Council meeting.

On September 16th, Santa Cruz City Councilmember Tony Madrigal called into the Bathrobespierre's Broadsides radio show on Free Radio Santa Cruz to discuss the Santa Cruz Police Department and Sentinel brouhaha over his comment during a City Council meeting on September 11th. At the meeting, Madrigal mentioned an incident he witnessed last Halloween during the massive police presence which suggested the possibility of racial profiling going on.

San Francisco 8 defendants Harold Taylor, Ray Boudreaux, Richard O'Neal, and Richard Brown have all been freed on bail. Bail arrangements are in the final stages for Hank Jones and Francisco Torres. On Sunday, September 23rd, the SF Print Collective exhibited new work, and artist Emory Douglas gave a presentation and signed books at a fundraiser for the SF 8, at the Center for Political Education in San Francisco. The next court date for the SF 8 case is set for Monday, September 24th at 9:30 am, with a demonstration at 8:30am outside of the courthouse.

On September 11th, supporters learned that Eric McDavid has been given commissary again. This is seen as "the first step towards a stable vegan diet for Eric." Supporters are asked to continue to call the jail to request that Eric be given vegan meals. In court on September 11th, US Attorney Steve Lapham asked questions of the government informant known as "Anna," who was sworn in without her name being spoken out loud. The trial will continue on Monday, September 17th at 9am.