Support justice for Sheila Detoy! Punish bad cops!

On Wednesday, December 3rd, a rather small but committed and earnest group of anti-police brutality activists attended a meeting of the San Francisco Police Commission to speak on behalf of Sheila Detoy, an innocent 17 year-old girl who in 1998 was shot dead by police officer Gregory Breslin.

Many who showed up were expecting to hear a vote on a proposal set forth by the Police Officers' Association that will cancel any disciplinary action against Breslin; however, they were informed upon arrival that the vote had been rescheduled instead for December 10th--an apparent attempt to shake off the public. In a surprising move, Commissioner Victor Makras harangued Commission president Connie Perry during the meeting for this dirty trick against the public.

Activists were given an opportunity to speak out during a public comment section. Shannon Altamirano, a close friend of Sheila's, spoke on behalf of Sheila's family and friends. Her emotional speech seemed to have no effect on the stone-faced Perry, who seemed more interested in her timer (speakers were each allowed only 3 minutes) than anything else. Van Jones, founder and national executive director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, delivered an excellent speech to the Commissioners, extolling them to use their power for the good of the community instead of rewarding murderer cops.

It should be mentioned that since killing Sheila, Officer Breslin has been promoted to Sergeant with an accompanying pay raise.

Despite the numerous testimonies on behalf of Sheila Detoy and justice, there is good reason to be apprehensive about the vote that will take place on the 10th. The Police Officer's Association claims the statute of limitations has run out on Sheila's case, but in actuality, due to the circumstances surrounding Sheila's death and the subsequent investigations, the law is against the POA--and we know there's no statute of limitations for murder. But the Police Commission may very well side with the POA.

We can't let that happen. We can't allow the POA to get away with covering-up, stonewalling, and delaying. We can't stand for dirty tricks and lies. We demand justice for Sheila and all victims of police brutality, and we demand it NOW. This is a landmark case--if the Police Commission votes down the POA's proposal, it will be a major first step toward police accountabilty, it will be a major first step toward justice. Everyone who reads this, PLEASE COME on the 10th at 5:30 pm to 850 Bryant Street to demand justice for Sheila. Anyone can come. Let's make sure so many people come that people have to stand outside in the hall.

And here's a special call to all anarchists/anti-capitalists/anti-authoritarians. Please come and show your oppostion to police violence and murder.