Enough is Enough ! Justice 4 Asa Sullivan Candlelight Vigil

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" Justice4AsaSullivan, slain by SFPD on June 7th, Candlelight Vigil
(mesha Monge-Irizarry, Idriss Stelley Foundation,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Asa/ )
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Once more, we gathered at 9 PM by Asa's house in the Parkmerced Villas complex by SF State University, last Saturday in the ever cold and windy Ingleside District, at the ASA Candlelight Vigil, to celebrate his life and pay respect to his family. Brother Asa, 25 yr. AfriKan American Youth was gunned down by SFPD, in a 2 1/2 feet crawling space, while he held an eye glass case that the department claims was mistaken for a gun...

(3 days earlier, I went to pay my respects to Asa's family at the wake at Dugan's Funeral parlor on 17th and Albion Street in the Mission District. Cringing, I approached the casket to take a final look at Asa, and was shocked... Good Lord, they made him look like a White boy...What a poor job they did on his body... His face was heavily pasted with whitish makeup; I later found out that it was due to all the concealer used to hide the extensive reconstruction of his facial structure, one bullet had entered through an eye, another went through his skull...
Mournfully starring at Asa, I sob, thinking about the uncanny similarities between ASA and my child Idriss,
* killed BY SFPD
* Interracial heritage
* The anniversary dates of their assassination are 7 days apart
* Alleged "Suicide by Cops"
* Both shot in the head, and then some...
* Minimization by the corporate press on the number of Bullets pumped into them
* Stolen lives in their early 20's
* Demonized and depicted as criminals by PD and the corporate press
* Both gang in blue shot so many times that a bullet ricocheted and wounded an "Peace Officer". (A bullet from Idriss' firing squad also ricocheted and ended in a KKKop's ass...).

A crowd of approximately 50 people, vastly Young people of Color quietly light their candles, and gather around Khalil (who heads the Vigil) and Sangh Sullivan, brothers of Asa, Kathy Espinoza (mother) and her husband, Tisha (Asa's Sister), Shorty (Asa's friend who stood in the Metreon during Idriss' PD assassination). Community activists Dr. Ahimsah Sumchai (environmental activist and SF Bayview columnist), Unionist Tami Bryant, a Vanguard organizer and journalist are also at the rendez-vous. No corporate press this time, no political candidates or city officials.
To my shock and horror, I listen to more terrifying recounts from other family relatives : This is the second PD murder striking this beautiful family: Brian Sullivan was shot by SFPD in 1993, while standing on a ladder. As he fell through the bullets, the "Peace officers" gave themselves a High-five, giggled and cheered on in front of his grandmother.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/examiner/article.cgi?year=1995&month=07&day=23&article=NEWS7265
http://www.hrw.org/reports98/police/uspo131.htm

Tisha does a moving rendition of Amazing Grace, but the Youth is angry, and ready, shouting "Enough is Enough!", and speaking about the rowdy, funny, loving personality of Brother Asa

At 11:05 P.M., 2 police cars pulled up across the street, and officers confer with the manager of King Security, (private contract with SFPD, covering the Parkmerced Villas Complex). A female cousin of Asa approaches them to report to Officer Chow inappropriate, rude and intimidating contact from a King Security employee with Asa's family, and chow assures us that it will be investigated by the Security manager, who is livid. Chow also tells us that the Vigil organizing committee has coordinated with SFPD in preparation for the vigil, and clearly sees that we are organized, peaceful and not in violation of the law. Chow recognizes me from African American Community Policing Relations Board meetings, and remains cautious and civil. We disperse, since it is past curfew, to avoid the wrath of King Security...
I approach Asa's cousin and ask her to come and testify at the Police Commission: it turns out that she is.... a police officer in Alameda County and has a conflict of interest...Beautiful young Black Sister, surely at risk for a lot of intimidation from PD. Her Sister Autumn, Social Work Graduate from State University drives me back to Idriss Safe Haven in Bayview, and relates the extent of her family shock, and determination to get Justice for Asa.
Sgt. De Lacy Davis, president and Founder of Black Cops against Police Brutality is presenting his condolences to the family. He flew from New Jersey for one day to speak at SF Juneteenth, and called me from the airport during the vigil to deliver this message to Asa's folks, flying back to New Jersey, and on his way to the Bermudas where he is heading a 3-month National Community Policing training.

Please remember to come in full force at the police Commission's hearing on Wednesday, 5:30 City Hall, room 400, and make public comments about yet another shooting of a young, unarmed Black man by the gang in blue!

Next Friday I will again dedicate my show "SF Village Voice" on Enemy Combatant Radio (Indymedia) as "Homage to ASA". It is webcast so we reach not only SF but the world. Please feel free to come to the studio, Red Stone Building 2941 16th St., corner of Capp, 1/2 block away from 16th St. Bart Station, and share your opinion and testimony about the PD murder of Asa, at 4 PM Friday 6-23-06

Much love, let's us all stay strong,
Idriss Stelley Foundation