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Police Commission Decides Abusive Cops Can Stay on Streets
A summary from Weds, Feb 27 Police Commission meeting about police violence in Hunter's Point.
Around 100 people showed up to attend the San Francisco Police Commission meeting on Wedsnesday, February 27th. After two emotional public forums, people attended the meeting to convey a message to the commission: the abusive cops who assaulted and molested 4 teenagers should be suspended while an investigation against them is pending. For weeks after the brutal attack, the same cops continued to patrol the same Hunter's Point neighborhood around Kirkwood Street. They have now been re-assigned somewhere within the city.
After being 25 minutes late for a public meeting which by law must start at 5:30pm, the commissioners sat stonefaced throughout the entire meeting, performing their usual role as obedient human receptacles for public outrage. The Police Commission, which has the authority and responsibility to act independently between the public and the police department, is appointed by the mayor.
After hearing and seeing eyewitness testimony, photographic evidence, as well as the names and badge numbers of the officers involved, the Police Commission refused to even acknowledge the group's request to have the officers suspended, besides saying that they "won't dialogue on any issues" (although they certainly have every right and responsibility to). Subsequent reminders from the crowd that any civilian who beat on and molested children would be arrested immediately (let alone be put on administrative leave), the Commission sat silent.
Mesha Monge-Irizarry, the mother of Idriss Stelley (who was killed last June by 8 SFPD officers), spoke out against the Police Commission, who had been openly hostile to the community during meetings about her son's death. Assistant Chief Prentince Sanders was also present, who has still not released the civilian witness details that he promised to deliver "the next day" -- months ago.
One person spoke who talked about the history of campaigns against the Police Commission, when public outrage resulted in a long battle including protests at the Hall of Injustice and commission members' civilian jobs. Another person spoke about continuing police violence, harrassment and drug dealing in San Francisco and the East Bay. After the brutal murder of Idriss Stelley, the increasing complicity of the Police Commission and the visible corruption around the Bay Area, like the Oakland Riders, local neighbhorhoods are gaining momentum towards a real fight for public control of the police.
Details of Hunter's Point attack on Martin Luther King Day:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/02/116106.php
Details of Idriss Stelley case:
http://www.justice4idriss.org/
After being 25 minutes late for a public meeting which by law must start at 5:30pm, the commissioners sat stonefaced throughout the entire meeting, performing their usual role as obedient human receptacles for public outrage. The Police Commission, which has the authority and responsibility to act independently between the public and the police department, is appointed by the mayor.
After hearing and seeing eyewitness testimony, photographic evidence, as well as the names and badge numbers of the officers involved, the Police Commission refused to even acknowledge the group's request to have the officers suspended, besides saying that they "won't dialogue on any issues" (although they certainly have every right and responsibility to). Subsequent reminders from the crowd that any civilian who beat on and molested children would be arrested immediately (let alone be put on administrative leave), the Commission sat silent.
Mesha Monge-Irizarry, the mother of Idriss Stelley (who was killed last June by 8 SFPD officers), spoke out against the Police Commission, who had been openly hostile to the community during meetings about her son's death. Assistant Chief Prentince Sanders was also present, who has still not released the civilian witness details that he promised to deliver "the next day" -- months ago.
One person spoke who talked about the history of campaigns against the Police Commission, when public outrage resulted in a long battle including protests at the Hall of Injustice and commission members' civilian jobs. Another person spoke about continuing police violence, harrassment and drug dealing in San Francisco and the East Bay. After the brutal murder of Idriss Stelley, the increasing complicity of the Police Commission and the visible corruption around the Bay Area, like the Oakland Riders, local neighbhorhoods are gaining momentum towards a real fight for public control of the police.
Details of Hunter's Point attack on Martin Luther King Day:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/02/116106.php
Details of Idriss Stelley case:
http://www.justice4idriss.org/
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1. It renders the city liable for the patently terrorist attrocity that was committed at Hunter's Point by SFPD and should be sued for its entire budget(i.e.-SHUT IT DOWN!)
2. Demonstrates to the government that such sweeping and patently fascist laws as this "anti-terrorism" law are two-edged swords that can be applied against it as well as against citizens.
I have been often times discouraged by many disempowered community leaders from getting in touch in you, the general sentiment being that you are no longer at the forefront of the Defense of People of Color Human Rights, and I refuse to believe it. As an immigrant and social activist, I continue to trust, inconditionally, your faith, commitment and power to promote crucial social & legislative changes to protect our community.
The following documents will show you how we blew the whisle on San Francisco Police Department increasing, shameless brutality against our African American Brothers and Sisters.
26 World sections of ADFE (Association of French Citizens in Foreign Countries), 11 World Indymedia Websites, 3 World Sections of Amnesty International, RFI (International French Radio), Rendez-vous LA Magazine, L'Expansion Magazine, Canal +, SF Bayview Reporter and thousands of community members have raised to the occasion in order to support our struggle for justice.
I would gratefully appreciate tat you would send me Dick Gregory E-mail address, as well as the E-mail of any key people who you think might be interested in helping us to correct this stream of senseless tragedies.
I will publicize your response as you see fit. WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT !
Respecfully,
Mesha Monge-Irizarry
iolmisha [at] cs.com
(650) 201-6203
Shelter Director, Emergency Shelters Programs, Hayward Californa
Member of the French Socialist Party
Member of ADFE (San Francisco Section)
Board Member of SF DAMO (Advocacy to Disabled People of Color)
Fiscal consultant, October 22 Against Police Brutality, Bay Area Chapter
Member of Copwatch, Berkeley.
__________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: SUPPORT/APOYO/SOUTIEN/AMNISTY INTERNATIONAL
Date: 3/4/02 1:11:29 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Iolmisha
To: Miriam.Pawel [at] latimes.com
CC: defblonde [at] 6sens.com, sliapes [at] yahoo.com
CC: deandre_oct_22 [at] yahoo.com, cgirault [at] ix.netcom.com
This letter has been sent to all world sections of Amnesty International and SOS RACISME yesterday. Our community quickly saw the link w/ Rodney King's tragedy, and we hope to hear from your editorial very soon. If you are not interested, could you direct me to the appropriate reporter? I will be very grateful.
On Internet Search, if you type Idriss Stelley on Google Search, you will find many articles on Idriss Stelley. You can also check Rendezvous LA, RFI "Les Francais du Monde, Marie-France Chaton-Laroche", SF Bay Guardian, Indymedia (who publicized the following letter on 11 international indymedia websites today), SF Weekly and SF Bayview Reporter. Thank you for your time and, hopefully, interest.
Cordially, Mesha monge-Irizarry
In a message dated 3/3/02 1:37:47 AM Pacific Standard Time, Iolmisha writes:
<< See translation of this letter in Spanish & in French at the end of this document)
(traduccion en espanol despues del documento en ingles)
(traduction en francais a la fin de ce document)
______________________________________________________________________
SAN FRANCISCO HALL OF SHAME...
3 Cases of incredible police brutality
______________________________________
June 13, 2001: Idriss Stelley, 23 yr Franco-African-American student, was shot more than 20 times by 9 police officers. His crime: he lit up a cigarette while watching a movie at the Sony Metreon Theater in San Francisco. 8 months later, the police won't release the names or statements of the 5 witnesses, and Idriss personal belongings have not been returned to the grieving family.
January 21, 2002: 4 African-American children, 12 to 14 yr old, were brutally assaulted by SFPD in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, held a gun point, under the terrified eyes of their parents. The girls were fondled, one boy suffered a severe concussion and a dislocated jaw. Their crime: listening to music in a car on Martin Luther King's Day, with their parents permission. When a parent inquired: "Why are you doing this?" he was told: "As long as YOU PEOPLE are here, we will continue doing this"...
February 9, 2002: Laurie McElroy, a disabled woman of color, reporter for the SF Bayview Reporter, left her evening job and went to pick up her 9 yr child at the babysitter. A few blocks from home, she was stopped by 3 police officers. One told her: "What kind of a mother are you to walk at this time of night with your child?". She was handcuffed and hit with clubs in her stomach and legs. By the second time she asked what were the charges, they duct taped her mouth and took her to jail. In the police car, she was told: "And what kind of a mother are you to make us beat you like this in front of your child?"...Her crime: Walking home from her evening job with her child, who is still held in protective custody, under the pretext that her disability prevents her to take proper care of him.
The San Francisco Police Department does not seem to be aware that the slave hunt is over, or maybe they do not remember the Civil Right Movement...( to their defense, it is true that it happened more than 40 years ago...)
We urge all world sections of Amnesty International to make a stand for the human rights and dignity of our San Francisco African American Brothers & Sisters ! Those whose salaries are paid by our tax dollars to "Serve & Protect" have gone mad, and enjoy total impunity !
Please, WE NEED YOUR HELP !
PEACE * COURAGE * SOLIDARITY
Mesha Monge-Irizarry
Mother of Idriss.
(650) 201-6203
iolmisha [at] cs.com ______________________________________________
PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO
* Mayor Willie Brown
* Police Chief Lau
By loging on: http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/mainpages/feedback.htm
Or:
Please call as many of these numbers as you can:
1st priority calls:
CHIEF LAU: (415) 553-1551
POLICE COMMISSION: (415) 553-1667
SYDNEY CHAN, PRESIDENT OF P.C.: (415) 397-1985 (Private business office)
2nd priority calls:
VICTOR MAKRAS: (415) 992-1990 (Private business office)
CONNIE PERRY: (425) 538-4146 (Private business office)
WAYNE FRIDAY: (415) 431-1792 (Home)
ANGELO QUARANTA: (415) 885-1557 (Home)
For more information, call Bay Area PoliceWatch at 415-951-4844X224
____________________________________________________________________________________
For background, please visit:
http://www.idrissonelove.com
French language
http://www.justice4idriss.org
English language
http://idriss.swer.biz/
English & French
http://www.sfbayview.com
English
http://www.granma.cu/espanol/julio5/32violencia-e.htlm
Espanol
http://www.ellabakercenter.org/
English, Bay Area PoliceWatch
________________________________________________________
LA VERGUENZA DE SAN FRANCISCO
3 Casos increibles de brutalidad de la policia
______________________________________________
13 de Junio, 2001: Idriss Stelley, 23, estudiante franco-africano-americano, fue balazado mas de 20 veces por 9 policeros. Su crimen: prendio un cigarro en el teatro de cine del Sony Metreon en San Francisco. 8 meses mas tarde, la policia no revela los nombres y testimonios de los 5 testigos a la tragedia, y refusa de regresar las pertenencias de Idriss a su familia.
21 de Enero, 2002: 4 ninos africanos-americanos, de 12 a 14 anos, fueron salvajamente atacados por la policia de San Francisco, amenazados con pistolas, enfrente de sus familias atterrorizadas. Las muchachas fueron molestadas, tocadas inapropriadamente, un nino de 14 anos sufrio una seria comocion cerebral y mandibula disclocada. Sus crimenes: escuchando a musica en un carro con la permision de sus padres, el dia de la celebracion de Martin Luther King. Un padre pregunto: "Porque estan haciendo esto?" Un policero contesto: " Vamos a seguir haciendo esto todo el tiempo que la GENTE COMO USTEDES sigue viviendo aqui"...
9 de Febrero, 2002: Laurie McElroy, mujer de color incapacitada, periodista de SF Bayview Reporter, fue a recoger su nino a la casa de la senora que le cuida despues de su trabajo, y caminaba para su casa con el, cuando es pararon 3 policeros, gritandoles: "Que clase de mujer camina de noche en este barrio con un nino?" La tiraron al suelo y la pegaron con bastones en el estomago y las piernas. Cuando ella repitio: "Cual son los cargos? Que hize?" le cubriron la boca con adesivo y la llevaron a preso. El el carro de policia, le dijeron: "Que clase de madre nos fuerza a pegarla asi enfrente de su hijo?"...Su crimen: caminando tarde despues del trababo con su hijo, todavia en custodia protectiva debajo del pretexto que la incapacidad de la madre no le premite de cuidar adecuadamente al nino.
La policia de San Francisco no parece acordarse que ya no se cazan los esclaves, o acordarse del movimiento de los Derechos Civiles (hace tanto tiempo, mas de 40 anos...)
Urgentemente, pedimos a todas las secciones mundiales de Amnistia Internacional de hacer una diferencia, uniendose con nuestra comunidad para defender los derechos humanos y la dignidad de nuestros Hermanos y Hermanas africanos-americanos!
Con nuestros impuestos, pagamos los salarios de estos individuos supuestos "Servir Y Proteger", y se volvieron locos, con impunidad total!
Por favor referirse a los numeros, correos y sitios de web escritos en el documento en ingles de la primera pagina.
Necesitamos el apoyo de Ustedes !
Mesha Monge-Irizarry
Madre de Idriss
(650) 201-6203
iolmisha [at] cs.com
________________________________________________________
PALMARES DE LA HONTE A SANFRANCISCO
3 Cas incroyables de brutalite policiere
______________________________________________
13 Juin 2001: Idriss Stelley, 23 ans, franco-africain-americain, est abattu par plus de 20 balles, 9 officiers de police. Son crime: Il a allume une cigarette dans le theatre de cinema du Sony Metreon de San Francisco. 8 mois plus tard, la police refuse de reveler le nom et depositions des 5 temoins de la tragedie, et de rendre les effets personnels d'Idriss a sa famille en deuil.
21 Janvier 2002: 4 enfants noirs de 12 a 14 ans ont ete sauvagement brutalises par la police de San Francisco, tenus en joue, sous les yeux impuissants de leur familles terrorisees. 2 jeunes filles ont ete molestees, touchees de maniere inappropriee, et un jeune de 14ans a souffert d'une severe commotion cerebrale et dislocation de la machoire. Un des parents a demande: "Pourquoi faites-vous cela?" La reponse d'un policier a ete la suivante: "Tant que LES GENS COMME VOUS vivent ici, nous continuerons a agir de la sorte !"...
9 Fevrier, 2002: Laurie McElroy, personne de couleur incapacitee, journaliste du SF Bayview Reporter, va chercher son fils chez le babysitter et rentre a pied a la maison. 3 policiers l'interpellent: "Quel genre de femme se promene dans ce quartier la nuit avec son enfant?" Ils lui mettent les menottes, la frappent avec leurs batons dans le ventre et les jambes. Quand elle repete: "Quelle est la cause de mon arrestation? Qu'ai-je fait?", on lui bande la bouche avec de l'adhesif devant son enfant et elle est amenee en prison. Dans le fourgon de police, un policier lui demande: "Quel genre de mere nous force a la battre ainsi devant son enfant?"...Son crime: tenter de rentrer saine et sauve a la maison le soir apres le travail avec son fils, toujours detenu en "garde protective", sous le pretexte que l'incapacite de Laurie lui permet pas de s'occuper adequatement de l'enfant.
La police de San Francisco ne semble pas se souvenir de l'abolition de la chasse aux esclaves...ni du mouvement des Droits Civils (il est vrai qu'il est difficile de s'en souvenir, il y a plus de40 ans deja...)
Nous prions instamment toutes les sections mondiales d'Amnistie Internationale de faire la difference, en s'unissant avec nous pour la defense des droits humains et de la dignite de nos Freres et Soeurs africains-americains a San Francisco!
Nos impots paient les salaires de ces individus, supposes "Servir et Proteger"...Ils sont devenus fous, en toute impunite!
Veuillez trouver les numeros de telephone, addresses E-mail et sites de Web repertories dans le document en anglais en haut de cette page.
Nous avons besoin de votre appui!
Mesha Monge-Irizarry
maman d'Idriss
(650) 201-6203
iolmisha [at] cs.com
________________________________________________________