From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
National Black Agenda Online E-newsletter, Mar. 16, 2007, Atlanta - Sean Bell's Verdict Co
Videos of the Week
TO KILL A BLACK MAN by Michael Moore http://www.michaelmoore. com
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=xeOaTpYl8mE
and more
TO KILL A BLACK MAN by Michael Moore http://www.michaelmoore. com
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=xeOaTpYl8mE
and more
The National Black Agenda Online E-newsletter
Brought to You by Angels Press
http://www.angelspress. com
Friday, March 16, 2007
Atlanta, GA
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Videos of the Week
TO KILL A BLACK MAN by Michael Moore http://www.michaelmoore. com
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=xeOaTpYl8mE
Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas joined forces with Amnesty International posting a
video on the organization' s website to recognize International Women’s Day and bring attention to the
continued crimes against women taking place in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez.
http://www.amnestyusa. org/bordertown
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Become Empowered... Buy this book
‘How To Take Control of Your Own Life:
A Self Help Guide to Moving Forward’ by Cathy Harris
http://www.howtotakecontro l.com
"How to Take Control of Your Own Life" provides options which
can put you on the right track toward taking control of your own life.
The tragedy is the daily necessity for a book such as "How to Take Control of Your Own Life". The good news is that once educated on your options, you can make more educated decisions on how to live your life.
http://www.angelspress. com
Cathy Harris is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to moving forward. Known for her guerrilla marketing style by means of forums, radio interviews, e-broadcasts, web postings and newsletters, Cathy comes full circle with the release of this book.
As a 27 year retired federal employee and whistleblower, Cathy fought the system - the U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security and came out triumphant on the other side. As a Community Organizer, Advocate and Entrepreneur, she transitioned into a successful business owner while gathering a faithful following.
"How to Take Control of Your Own Life" is for those who have had “temporary setbacks” because of the current administration, the outsourcing of jobs and the downsizing of corporations.
Cathy believes now more than ever that community advocates like herself must speak for the people who have no voice such as the young, the elderly, the poor, the homeless, injured workers of America, and other sick people. Due to the current economy, these persons are now living without the basic essentials of life, which are food, clothing, and shelter. She believes we all need to be in the business of taking care of people. If we are not, then we need to seriously look at how we are living our lives.
The tragedy is that this book is necessary. The good news is that once educated on your options, you can make more educated decisions on how to live your life. "How to Take Control of Your Own Life" provides options that can put you on the right track toward taking control of your own life. It will guide you to the resources, mentors, and experts that you need to put you on the right path to peace, joy, and happiness.
Reality Based Seminars and Workshops
http://www.angelspress. com/workshops. html
Cathy Harris is available for Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops. She exposes business owners to advertising opportunities http://www.angelspress. com/HowToStartYo urOwnBusiness. html Coupled with the “this is how you do it” reality-based seminars and workshops, small business owners can immediately reap the rewards with Harris at the helm. She can be reached through her company Angels Press, P.O. Box 870849, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, Phone: (800) 797-8663, Fax: (678) 254-5018, Website: http://www.angelspress. com Email: info@angelspress. com
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
CALL TO ACTION - VERDICT IN THE SEAN BELL CASE
http://www.justiceforsean. net
The Grand Jury is about to give a verdict in the Sean Bell murder case. Be careful in the streets. No matter what the verdict is folks will be angry. I was not there that night in Queens. I do not know what happened. I do know one man is dead and the rest are injured for life and 2 children are missing a father.
To me the cops went beserk. All of their training, discipline and common sense went out the window and we are forced once again to ask the same old question "Would it have happened to White kids in a White neighborhood" .
Lastly, the bs about the cops who did the shooting were racially mixed. That is not even worth discussing. The police mentality and the police brass are White and hate Blacks and that mentality overrides the color of the police doing the murder.
So be vigilant, be aware, be careful and if there is any way, any form of protest, reaction or resistance go for it.
One of the suggestions is a total boycott of businesses in Queens.
Another is to boycott the Corporations that the PBA has invested their Pension Fund into.
Another is a letter writing blitz, another is a day of total withdrawal. We do not work, go to school, buy any goods or services or even drive our cars. A total economic freeze. If their God is money, slap their God.
Love and protect one another always.
Peace, Bro. Ernie
Luv4self_network@ yahoogroups, .com
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
From: nbppbrooklyn@ aol.com
To: akeem827@yahoo. com, akfrimpo@syr. edu, BASHLEFI@aol. com, blackpow7@yahoo. com, Derek7c@msn. com, Dharlemworld@ aol.com
Subject: SEAN BELL GRAND JURY DECISION IMMINENT
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:40:09 -0400
According to news accounts, 1,700 cops are in place and ready when the now deliberating grand jury in the Sean Bell Murder case comes back with a decision_which is expected this week.
What are the cops in place and ready for? will the murderers of Sean Bell not be indicted and the city might be expecting an uprising?
The mayor has employed an age old tactic of "meeting with community leaders" so they (the community leaders) can quell the massess when or if they erupt.
Why is NYPD placing a large police detail at Sharpton's headquarters? for what? is that to try and provoke something?
Sharpton nor his crew is going to do anything physically confrontational, they never have.
Gary Anthony Ramsey of NY1 News reported this morning that the energy" in Queens is tense and that's an understatement"
A cop was shot in Harlem last night, the soildier that did that is now dead because the cop fired back.
A cop was slashed last night in East NY, Brooklyn. The soildier that did that was fired upon by the officer, he and the officer are expected to recover.
last weekend a 25 year old struggled with an undercover cop at a club and was shot dead.
Long Live the BLA
If the decision to indict comes this Friday we are to assemble at Union Square The Day After, this Saturday @ 12Noon.
If the decision comes down before Friday we are to assemble The Day After,@5pm
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -
City awaits grand jury probe of groom's shooting
March 14, 2007
Story Highlights
• Grand jury is expected to announce results of probe into groom's shooting
• Sean Bell was shot by undercover NYPD officers hours before his wedding
• Extra police officers are on standby, and officials are on alert
• Mayor meets with community leaders, urges peace
Adjust font size:
NEW YORK (AP) -- The city anxiously awaited a decision by a grand jury that was weighing whether to charge five officers who unleashed the 50-shot barrage that killed an unarmed man on his wedding day.
The timing of a decision was uncertain because the proceedings are private. The grand jurors went home late Wednesday without having decided whether any officers should be indicted, and they were to reconvene Thursday.
The shooting that killed Sean Bell, 23, and wounded two of his companions on November 25 stirred outrage around New York, and officials were bracing for more of the same if the officers avoid charges. Bell was black, as are the other victims; three of the officers are black and two are white.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose community outreach program went into overdrive this week as months of grand jury presentations wound down, acknowledged that "there will be plenty of people who will disagree no matter what" the decision is.
"If anybody wants to use this as an excuse to cause disruption and violate the law, they will find that our police department will do exactly what they're trained to do and hired to do," the mayor warned. "We will make sure that everybody is as safe on the streets before the grand jury rules as afterward."
The killing of Bell and the wounding of his bachelor party guests, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, raised questions about police tactics and prompted vigils and protests by civil rights activists.
Guzman, Benefield and Nicole Paultre Bell, who was to marry Bell and legally took his name after his death, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton on Wednesday afternoon in Harlem, appearing on his radio show while awaiting the grand jury's decision.
"I need justice," said Guzman, who was shot 16 times and arrived on crutches, his leg in a walking cast.
"I'm praying," said Paultre Bell.
Sharpton, who has acted as a spokesman of sorts for Bell's family, said Tuesday that "certain levels of protests and visible actions" would likely arise if there were no indictments, but he said he expected those actions to be peaceful.
"Rather than worry if there's going to be violence, I would think they'd be worried about the violence that already occurred," he said in an interview. "Fifty shots is about as violent as you can get."
Paul Williams, 35, of the Bronx said all five officers should be charged.
"They killed a man for no reason," Williams said. "That's my opinion. You don't shoot and then ask questions. They're all guilty. They should all be charged."
Also Wednesday, the district attorney's office said it was aware of someone who came forward to say he was a witness to the shooting and had information about it. But it was unclear whether the grand jury would seek information from the person or continue without it.
The officers testified in ascending order, based on the number of bullets they fired: Detective Paul Headley, who fired one round, and Officer Michael Carey, who fired three, testified first. Officer Marc Cooper fired four shots, and he was followed to the stand by Officer Gescard Isnora, who fired 11 shots. Michael Oliver, who reloaded and fired 31 shots, went last on Friday.
Union representatives and lawyers for the officers have said their clients, who were conducting an undercover investigation at a strip club, became convinced Bell and his friends were going to retrieve a gun from a car after overhearing them argue with another patron. No gun was found.
The grand jurors had been instructed to consider several charges: second-degree murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide stemming from Bell's death; and attempted murder, assault or reckless endangerment in the wounding of Benefield and Guzman.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
The Sean Bell fiasco in Black and white
by ALTON H. MADDOX JR.
Originally posted 3/8/2007
Whenever a Black person is accused of committing a heinous crime against a white person, white legislators immediately enact repressive legislation. Whenever a white person commits a heinous crime against a Black person, Black leaders only call for police-approved marches, even if the policemen are the suspects.
Black legislators know that penal laws are reserved almost exclusively for Blacks. It would take a courageous Black legislator who can think outside the box to write penal laws aimed at police assassins. Nonetheless, these laws have to be strictly construed. Stated differently, penal laws have to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Every time p olice terrorism erupts, like the murders of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell, the New York Times always comes out with a headline about the difficulty of convicting cops. This would not happen if Blacks were represented by officials who were taking care of business in legislative chambers.
The media has indoctrinated the public to see cops in ghettos performing the same jobs as soldiers on battlefields. This happens by the use of terms like the “war on drugs,” “war on crime” and “war on terrorism.” These terms emanate from the executive branches of government.
The typical grand juror has been brainwashed to believe that it is his or her civic duty to find justification for a police killing. A prosecutor exploits this perception by wrongfully instructing the grand jury in favor of the police. This is a power of the executive branch of government.
These grand jury instructions are not only secret, but are also disposable. To make matters worse, witnesses testifying in the Sean Be ll, et. al. grand jury have failed to divulge the racial makeup of the grand jury or the Q&A. These witnesses are not sworn to secrecy.
After I successfully demanded a special prosecutor in the racially motivated murder of Michael Griffith in Howard Beach and subsequent convictions ensued, the New York Legislature eventually enacted hate crime legislation to announce its commitment to prosecute some racists and bigots. Special legislation facilitates criminal convictions.
Homicide statutes are not aimed at convicting cops. They are aimed at common-law criminals. The critical question is why Black selected officials have refused to introduce special legislation against police terrorism and crimes against humanity? Thus, history is about to repeat itself in Sean Bell, et. al. See the acquittals in Amadou Diallo.
Police terrorism arises when cops, acting under color of law and in violation of the U.S. Constitution, engage in terrorist acts which cause or which are likely to cause death. This is a condition precedent for a crime against humanity, and it also includes acts that are “shocking to the conscience” and, thus, in violation of due process of law.
Until New York enacts special legislation penalizing police terrorism and crimes against humanity, no cop will serve any sentence for participating in a firing squad without any semblance of due process of law. Similarly, the grand jury investigation is a fraud.
After Griffith was murdered in Howard Beach and before New York enacted hate crime legislation, it took special, grassroots grit to secure convictions, including, but not limited to, a “Day of Outrage.” White supremacy will never bend without continued pressure.
The torture of Abner Louima is far different than the executions of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell. In torturing Louima, police officers Justin Volpe and Charles Schwarz had cost New York City six times more money than the four assassins who executed Diallo. Schwarz and Volpe only intended to torture Louima. They violated a shoot-to-kill policy.
After a defendant has been convicted of murder in a court of law, Utah allows for four marksmen, each armed with a single round from .30 caliber rifles, to shoot at a spot marked by a medical doctor over the convicted defendant’s heart. The fifth marksman is given a blank round.
The four bullets cause rupture of the heart and the defendant goes into shock from a loss of blood. This happens in Utah with the presence of a medical doctor. Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield were, perforce, denied immediate medical attention with the hope that they would die and save the city millions of dollars.
New York gives cops the same powers as the state has in Utah but without any need for due process of law. A cop, in New York, is judge, jury and executioner. Moreover, the assassinations of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
To make matters worse, any state-sponsored execution, with a fusillade of 50 bullets, is “shocking to the conscience” under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. No civilized society would permit this kind of barbaric practice.
If Utah would propose to execute a convicted defendant in a hail of 50 bullets, the U.S. Supreme Court would step in immediately and enjoin the execution. The federal government has a responsibility to immediately remove this bogus grand jury investigation from Queens County.
A state grand jury, in New York, is given the power to exonerate five assassins despite their odious violations of the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Something is wrong with this picture, unless you peruse Art. 1, sec. 2 of the U.S. Constitution.
After the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws in 1937 in Nazi Germany, there is no recorded history of the Gestapo wantonly and maliciously gunning down a Gypsy, a Black or a Jew in a hail of bullet s. Genocide is happening under the nose of the United Nations.
Whites, who Blacks elected to the executive branch of government in New York, are committing crimes against descendants of enslaved Africans that even Adolph Hitler never envisioned happening in Nazi Germany, and Negro collaborators are acting in concert with the executive branch of government to deflect blame from the guilty.
On Wednesday, March 14, UAM’s weekly forum will be held at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street (near Classon Avenue) in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, March 15, I will speak on “Law as a Tool of Repression to Contain Diversity” at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Room 4M05 in Queens from 8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
The trial of the eviction proceeding concerning my residence is scheduled for March 22 at 9:30 a.m. at Manhattan Housing Court, 111 Centre Street, Room 523 in Manhattan.
White lawyers framed the U.S. Constitution and established the Ku Klux Klan. Without strong Black lawyers, Black people will be destroyed under due process of law.
Robert Williams, a revolutionary activist in North Carolina in the 1950s who authored “Negroes with Guns” and had to flee to Cuba and China, will be remembered at UAM at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street in Brooklyn on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. His wife, Mabel Williams, will discuss his revolutionary spirit in addition to the showing of a documentary of his life.
See: Blueprint to End Police Terrorism, the December 14, 2006 Order of the U.S.D.C., E.D.N.Y., and Position Paper on a Black Agenda for 2007–10 at http://www.reinstatealtonm addox.com.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
Community Control! Police Accountability!
The NYPD's murder of Sean Bell and attempted murders of Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman are NOT isolated or random events. They represent the continued targeting of communities of color by the police and the lack of
accountability for police misconduct and abuse.
A Grand Jury is being convened for a possible indictment against the cops involved in the shootings, with a decision maybe coming as soon as tomorrow. The day AFTER the grand jury decision, come to
Union Square
to show that
WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!!
----------
PEOPLES' JUSTICE: Community Control & Police
Accountability!
------------
Gather at
Union Square
the Day After the grand jury
decision in the
Sean Bell Case.
Bear witness that justice must be served for
Bell, Benefield, Guzman
and all those who have been killed and brutalized by
the police. Be at
Union Square
@ 5pm if the day after the grand jury decision
is a weekday; 12:00 noon
if the day after is a weekend! *** To endorse or get
more info, contact us
Peoples' Justice at:
peoplesjustice2007@ yahoo.com
http://www.justiceforsean. net
In Unity and Solidarity-
Black Cotton Entertainment
1028A Franklin Ave.
Newark, NJ 07107
(718) 415-0523
BlackCottonEntertai nment@gmail. com
http://www.myspace. com/blackcotton_ entertainment
Black Cotton: "The Symbol of Unrewarded Struggle"
PEOPLES JUSTICE CALL FOR THE DAY AFTER
Gather at 5pm at Union Square The Day After the grand jury decision in the Sean Bell case if the day after the grand jury decision is a weekday
Gather at 12 noon at Union Square if The Day After is a weekend
14th Street, between University Place & Broadway, Manhattan
(4/5/6 to Union Square, F/L/V to 14th Street)
For more information, visit the Peoples Justice myspace page http://www.myspace. com/peoplesjusti ce
------------ --------- --------- ---------
MANY colors - ONE race
http://caroltaylorw ord.blogspot. com
SUBVERT THE DOMINANT PARADIGM
http://www.racismtest. com
OPEN LETTER TO KILLER-COP KENNETH BOSS
You, my little shameless epitome of white male supremacy, are making a laughingstock of the New York City Police Department by 'biting the hand that fed you' - suing them after you brought them into disrepute by murdering city residents you swore to protect.
You shot Black Brother Patrick Bailey to death in Brooklyn (you and the other thugs-in-blue stood by and allowed that melaninized young man to bleed to death only TWO MINUTES away from Brookdale Hospital!) - then you blustered on up to the Bronx with yer city-sanctioned killercop street unit to gun down (41 bullets!) unarmed Amadou Diallo in 1997, in front of his own dwelling as he was minding his own business entering his own home.
Now, only a few agonizing ('agonizing' because this racist/colorist sysDUMB of criminal 'justice' moved your 'trial' out of multi-colored Bronx up to all-white Albany so as to ensure that you and your blue-Assassins gang could walk free of the responsibility for slaughtering an innocent-of- any-crime Black African male) - after these agonizing years, you - understanding that the Black Panther Party is no longer organized to take out your sorry slaughtering ass - have the consummate gall to raise your stinkevil head in public and to - incredibly - gather your hoary legs under you to sue your former employer, the recalcitrant- when-it-comes- to-equity- for-BlackFolk, New York City Police Department.
It's truly BARF-TIME in Brooklyn. When I heard this on a newscast on WBAI Radio, I hadda' realquick call up my Son's saying to save my sanity:"Mum, huemans will do anything!" Well, I guess so! The adage, "What goes around comes aroung" is also applicable here: one the one hand, we've got New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly adamantly and continuously refusing to set up routine Racism/Colorism Quotient Testing (with Follow-Up Psych Counseling) of his racist/colorist police force - counterproductively 'looking the other way' as his rabid cops like you unendingly murder Black males with impunity, as he - your 'Leader,' spews out idiotic platitudes about "It wuz justified" and "It wuz just a terrible tragedy" and "It's not systemic' - ensuring the vicious continuation of Black male 'slaughter-by- cop' police terrorism against people of color!
On the other bloody hand, we - the ever-benighted Black community, hearing about your blatant disregard for our feelings as you show your evil face in public, have to stand for that kick in the ass as we await - ironically at the same fucking time, some delayed 'Grand' Jury decision on the unconscionable terror-slaughter, by 5 NYPD goons in blue, of the unarmed, unsuspecting, non-criminal 23 year old Black Sean Bell on his wedding day!
JESUS H. CHRIST! How long and how much are BlackFolk supposed to TAKE here in 'The Belly of The Beast' in these United Snakes of AmeriKKKA?
What wuz that about 'turning worms?'
As you, Kenneth Boss, have joined the NYPD homicidal group of white male killer-Catholic- Cops, (most of the Black males y'all've slaughtered have been killed mostly by white male Catholic cops in the NYPD) perhaps you can tell us - your taxpaying employers - whether it was your Catholic upbringing or your Mother who influenced you so horribly to feel that it's your (unholy) right to blow away hueman beings of color any damn time you please - with impunity.
PATRICK DORISMOND COMMEMORATION
March 31, 2007 (*NOTE NEW DATE*)
6:00pm
Walt Whitman School
72 Veronica Place, Brooklyn
Join Lakou-NY, Families of Stolen Lives, and community activists at a screening of Giuliani Time to commemorate the life of Patrick Dorismond, killed by NYPD March 16, 2000
GENERAL MEETING FOR OCTOBER 22 COALITION
April 11, 2007
6:00pm
Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway, between Bond and Great Jones Streets, Manhattan
(6 to Bleecker Street, D/B/F/V to Broadway-Lafayette)
Tap into the local fight against police brutality
FUNDRAISING EVENT + STOLEN LIVES BANNER PROJECT
May 19, 2007
Time TBA
Location TBA
Fundraising event in the works that will hopefully include musical and poetic performances and a collective project of creating a new Stolen Lives banner
PACK THE COURT FOR JUANITA YOUNG
DATE TBA
Bronx Criminal Court
161st Street & Sheridan Avenue, Bronx
(B/D/4 to 161st Street-Yankee Stadium)
After getting brutalized and arrested by police in her own home and then tortured by cops, handcuffed and later shackled to a hospital bed for four days, the outspoken police brutality activist was given a DAT.
Stand with Juanita on the day that she faces criminal charges from the precinct that attacked her and that had murdered her son Malcolm Ferguson in 2000
The October 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has been mobilizing every year since 1996 for a National Day of Protest on October 22, bringing together those under the gun and those not under the gun as a powerful voice to expose the epidemic of police brutality.
The Coalition also works on the Stolen Lives Project, which documents cases of killings by law enforcement nationwide. The second edition of the Stolen Lives book documents over 2000 cases in the 1990's alone. The second volume to this book is now in the works, and volunteers are needed to help with the research and editing. Please contact the National Office at 1-888-NO BRUTALITY or info@october22. org for more information.
To contact the New York local coordinating committee of October 22 Coalition:
Telephone/Fax: 866-235-7814 (toll-free)
E-mail: oct22ny@yahoo. com
Website: october22-ny. org
To subscribe to the listserv for announcements, statements, etc., send a blank e-mail to oct22ny-subscribe@ topica.com
------------ -------
UPDATE - San Francisco 8
From: SF-8 case <cdhrsupport@ freedomarchives. org
Reply-to: CDHR_right@hotmail. com
To: Recipient list suppressed:;
Subject: [Cdhrsupport] Strong showing at rally for SF 8; hearing postponed
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 08:44:44 -0400
Strong showing at rally for SF 8; hearing postponed
SF Bayview
by Cynthia Nelson
“Free the SF 8! Kidnapped by the state!” As the sun peeked over the city skyline Tuesday morning, a lively and vocal crowd of supporters of the political prisoners known as the San Francisco 8 rallied in front of the county jail at 850 Bryant, where six of the men are now being held.
The 50-100 demonstrators included elders, young folks and everyone in between, including a small contingent of bike messengers. They join protests that have been taking place in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Orlando and elsewhere around the country.
Later that morning, the court was scheduled to hold a bail hearing for the SF 8. Bails have been set at an impossible $3 million each. Considering that the men appeared voluntarily for the 2005 San Francisco Grand Jury and present a low flight risk, the amount is exorbitant. The men, now elders, had been living quiet lives and are known for community involvement. Some are employed by the city or volunteer with city agencies. Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim have been political prisoners since the 1970s.
The six other Black Panther veterans arrested on Jan. 23 were Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Henry Watson Jones, Richard O’Neal, Harold Taylor and Francisco Torres. The case, which involves the shooting death of a San Francisco police officer in 1971, has had no leads in three decades. Some of the men were charged more than 30 years ago, but charges were dropped in 1975 because the only evidence was a confession shown to have been elicited after prolonged torture. The government claims new scientific technology, but the technology hasn’t changed in 25 years.
The government seems set on keeping the men imprisoned. Barely 20 minutes after the hearing began, the courtroom empti ed of people wearing “Free the SF 8!” buttons. The judge had arraigned Francisco Torres, who was recently extradited from New York, and then postponed the hearing until April 27.
Mattie Scott is co-founder of The Healing Circle, a support group of Black women and men who have lost loved ones to violence, and they seek to prevent violence from perpetuating. They question the priorities of law enforcement: The cases of too many slain family members remain open, while the California attorney general goes after a case with no developments since the ‘70s.
Scott is a neighbor of Richard O’Neal – their children grew up together. “He’s done nothing but good things for the community, he and Richard Brown. And this is just not right,” she comments. “We pay taxes, we work here, we raise our children here. The police [should] work for us.”
Stuart Hanlon is a defense attorney representing Herman Bell. Objecting to the shackles that constantly chain the wrists and ankles of the brothers, he states, “They’re not security risks, but they’re being treated as such.” And responding to the nationwide protests and the persisting excessive security at the courtroom: “People have a right to speak out, and the public should. What we’re seeing here is a court system that’s afraid of the public. It’s terrific, the support of these men.”
Cynthia Nelson, a media studies graduate student at New College and intern at the Bay View, can be reached at cynthianellie@ gmail.com.
Write to the SF 8
Judging from a letter that a young prisoner at 850 Bryant wrote to the Bay View, the San Francisco 8 are passing around their copies of the paper along with generous portions of inspiration. As their supporters, it is our job to keep their spirits up by writing words of encouragement.
To write to the six who are now being held in the San Francisco County Jail, address letters wit h each man’s name and number and this address: 850 Bryant St., San Francisco CA 94103. Their names and numbers follow:
Ray Boudreaux, 2301300; Richard Brown, 2300819; Richard O’Neal, 2300818; Harold Taylor, 2305584; Francisco Torres, 2307534.
Henry W. (Hank) Jones, 2301301 is at 425 Seventh Street, San Francisco CA 94103
The other two are still being held in New York prisons: Herman Bell, 79C0262, Sullivan Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg NY 12733-0116; Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom), 77A4283, Auburn Correctional Facility, 135 State St., P.O. Box 618, Auburn NY 13024
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221 Pasadena, CA 91109 (626) 345-4939 CDHR_right@hotmail. com
------------ --------- -
UPDATE H. RAP BROWN
From: Freedom Ain't Free!
To: andrick anderson
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 5:26 PM
Subject: FREE H. RAP BROWN!!!!
FREE IMAM JAMIL!!!
(FORMERLY H. RAP BROWN)
FRIDAY MARCH 16TH 2007
3PM RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE
7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE FRAMING & KIDNAPPING OF IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN
RALLY TAKES PLACE ON:
547 WEST END PLACE (IN THE FIELD)
THE CORNER OF OAK ST & WEST END PLACE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ***
6:30 PM FILM SHOWINGS/COINTELPRO OVERVIEW
*IMAM JAMIL INTERVIEW WITH GIL NOBLE
*BRIEF COINTELPRO OVERVIEW
*IMAM JAMIL TRIAL ON AMERICAN JUSTICE
FILM/OVERVIEW TAKES PLACE AT:
THE WEST END ISLAMIC CENTER
1193 LUCILE AVE (CORNER OF LUCILLE & HOLDERNESS)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FOR MORE INFO: 770-572-0283 OR http://WWW.ICSIJA.TK
------------ --------- ---
Black Walgreen Employees File Class-Action
http://www.walgreensclass. com
March 10, 2007
Fourteen current and former Walgreens employees from Illinois,
Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Texas, Indiana and Michigan have filed a nationwide
race discrimination class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of Illinois against Walgreen Company in Tucker et
al. v. Walgreen Co., Case No. 05-CV-440-GPM.
The class action suit charges that Walgreens discriminates against its
black employees in hiring, promotions, compensation and store
assignments in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. § 1981.
The lawsuit claims in part that Walgreens steers its black employees to
work at stores located in areas that have predominantly black customers
and/or lower income customers. Walgreens uses an internal store
classification system of "peer groups" that categorizes stores based on race
and income. The class action plaintiffs claim that black employees are
systematically denied advancement opportunities because Walgreens steers
them to the minority/lower income peer group stores. Earning
opportunities and work conditions are materially worse in the stores where the
black management employees are steered and segregated.
Walgreen Co., the nation's largest drugstore chain, reported sales in
excess of $42.2 billion in 2005. The company operates more than 5,156
stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
“Every worker should have equal rights in the workplace. It is
disappointing that a company as large as Walgreens continues to allow such
racially biased practices to exist.” said plaintiffs’counsel, Tiffany
Klosener of Foland Wickens Eisfelder Roper & Hofer.
"What is so stunning is that in 2005 black employees are not only
suffering discrimination in seeking to advance their careers at Walgreens,
but are facing segregation. The segregation is a throwback to a time
that most of us thought was gone from American life.” added Kent Spriggs
of Spriggs Law Firm in Tallahassee, Florida, co-counsel for the
plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs are represented by the law firms of Foland, Wickens,
Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer, P.C. (Kansas City), Spriggs Law Firm
(Tallahassee) and Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian (Oakland).
Mr. Spriggs, one of the most experienced class action attorneys in the
country, authored the two-volume text Representing Plaintiffs in Title
VII Actions.
A toll free number (1-877-397-2529) has been set up to learn more about
the case.
Other Discrimination News is Located at New Blog
http://www.cathyharris- workplace. blogspot. com
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Atlanta News & Call to Action
Legislative Alert - Derwin Brown
http://www.derwinbrown. org
The alert will in effect encourage people to contact the capitol in support of HR103.They,the subcommitte on Appropriations, have decided not to hold a hearing on Billy Mitchell`s bill(HR103), for compensation in support of sheriff Derwin Brown`s family. Put in the alert that people call Rep.Don Parsons, the chairman of the subcommittee on Appropriations, and tell him that we support HR103 and would like the legislators to hold a hearing on the matter.Parsons is a representative out of Cobb
County, Marrietta, GA. His number is (404)463-2247; email:repdon@gmail. com;fax:(404)463- 2249.
If they support the Brown family than this is the opportunity to do so by calling, emailing or faxing a letter to Rep.Parsons. Also put in the alert the following information: HR103is sponsored by Rep.Billy Mitchell and Rep. R.Mangham; summary of bill: A resolution compensating Sherrif Derwin Brown`s family. To read bill 103, go to http://www.legis.state. ga.us and plug in HR103. Thanks ron parker.
------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
Atlanta Activist Rev. James Orange Youngest Daughter Dies
Greetings:
I have been asked to share the following sad news with you. Please keep the Orange family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Ms. Pamela Aquica Orange made her transition from this earthly life on March 11, 2007.
Ms. Orange was the youngest daughter of the Rev. James and Cleophas Orange and the sister of Jamida, Deirdre, Tamara, and Cleon Orange; and the aunt of JaClea' and Brandon Orange.
Ms. Orange's arrangements are being handled by:
Edwards and Sons Funeral Home
3318 Glenwood Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30032
404-289-8601
Rev and Mrs. Orange's address is:
1436 Westmont Road Atlanta,
Georgia 30311 (404-755-3002)
Ms. Orange's homegoing celebration will be held on:
Saturday, March 17, 2007 @ 12:00 noon
St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church
1558 Venetian Drive Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30311
404-758-4462
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the M.L.K, March Committee In Memory of Pamela Aquica Orange Post Office Box 42621, Atlanta, Georgia 30311
Kirk Surgeon
------------ --------- -------
------------ --
U.S. lets whistle-blowers lose jobs
By Peter Eisler, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The federal government is sanctioning agreements that cost whistle-blowers their jobs after they expose safety and security lapses at nuclear facilities and toxic waste sites, Labor Department records show.
Federal law requires the department to safeguard whistle-blowers from reprisals and approve settlements of their retaliation claims against private or federal employers. Yet 45 of 73 settlements approved since 2000 involving whistle-blowers who complained of environmental and nuclear safety problems included permanent bans on working for the employer.
FALLOUT: Had to accept 'defeat,' says whistle-blower
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement that the clauses amount to blacklisting, which is barred under whistle-blower protection laws. He promised to investigate their use: "It is especially troubling to now learn that our own Department of Labor … is recklessly approving (employment bans) to the detriment of individuals who had the audacity to report wrongdoing."
The employment bans stem from cases in which companies settled charges that they wrongly fired or disciplined whistle-blowers. In some cases, the settlements came after state or federal authorities validated the workers' concerns about safety and health issues.
The Labor Department released the agreements under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Government Accountability Project (GAP), a whistle-blower advocacy group that provided the records to USA TODAY.
GAP has petitioned the department to prohibit the employment bans. The group said the bans violate the workers' rights to keep their jobs under whistle-blower protection laws.
The Labor Department would not comment on details of the settlements it released to GAP. In a written statement, it said it is "giving careful consideration" to GAP's petition.
The agreements amount to "economic coercion," GAP lawyer Tom Carpenter said. "It's silencing those workers by removing them. … It sends a message to everyone on site that raising a concern gets you a lifetime employment ban."
Whistle-blowers often wait months or years without pay while their cases await legal reviews. They tend to accept settlements with employment bans because they need the back pay and monetary damages, Carpenter said.
Gregory Keating, a Boston lawyer who represents employers in whistle-blower cases, said the restrictions are legitimate. "These agreements are knowing, they're voluntary, and you have a federal agency putting its stamp of approval on them that says the public interest is covered," he said.
If the Labor Department fails to bar employment bans, Dingell said, he will consider legislation to do so. Whistle-blowers "should be treated as heroes, not pariahs," he said.
------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
FOCUS | FBI Abuses May Lead to Patriot Act Limits
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031007Y. shtml
Rove's Involvement in US Attorney Firings Confirmed by White House
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207J. shtml
Senator Schumer Says Gonzales Should Go
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207K. shtml
Top US Generals Offer Bleakest Assessment Yet on Iraq
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207L. shtml
Ann Wright | Why I Will March to Support the Troops and End the War
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207M. shtml
For War's Gravely Injured, Challenge to Find Care
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207N. shtml
Paul Krugman | Overblown Personnel Matters
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207O. shtml
Loan Turmoil Closes Doors for Buyers
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207P. shtml
Report Says FBI Violated Patriot Act Guidelines
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907J. shtml
Democrats Roll Out Iraq Withdrawal Plans in Both Houses
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907K. shtml
Noam Chomsky | A Predator Becomes More Dangerous When Wounded
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907L. shtml
FOCUS | Rove Was Asked to Fire US Attorney
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031107Z. shtml
Disney First Black Princess
http://www.msnbc. msn.com/id/ 17524865/
Los Angeles Gang Crackdown
http://www.latimes. com/news/ local/la- me-gangs10mar10, 0,7829803. story?coll= la-home-headline s
Immigration Raid Under Way in Arizona
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907S. shtml
Justice Department Says FBI Misused Patriot Act
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907T.shtml
House OKs Clean-Water Bill Over Bush Objections
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907EC. shtml
Paul Krugman | A History of America's Disappearing Middle Class
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907LA. shtml
Iraqi Women's Death Sentences Spur European Outcry
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907WA. shtml
Abortion Bill Heading to Mississippi Governor
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907WB. shtml
Los Angeles Gang Crackdown
http://www.latimes. com/news/ local/la- me-gangs10mar10, 0,7829803. story?coll= la-home-headline s
Inmates Could Trade an Organ for an Early Out
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907HA. shtml
Chertoff Defends New Computer
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20070310/ ap_on_re_ us/homeland_ security_ computers
Army Surgeon General Resigns Over Walter Reed Scandal
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207R. shtml
Businesses Prepare to Mount a Concerted Attack on Regulation
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207S. shtml
Activists Announce Protests at Pentagon and on Campuses
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207T. shtml
Halliburton will move HQ to Dubai - Yahoo! News
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20070312/ ap_on_bi_ ge/emirates_ halliburton
Congress Demands Rove Testimony on Attorney Firings
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307J. shtml
Dems Abandon War Authority Provision
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307K. shtml
Treasury Casts a Wide Net Under Patriot Act
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307L. shtml
David Bacon | Guest Workers Fired After Protesting Slavelike Conditions
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307M. shtml
Proposed UN Women's Agency Gains Key Ally
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307N. shtml
A Quarter of US War Vets Diagnosed With Mental Disorder
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307O. shtml
Oprah: My School is Safe, Not Strict
http://www.tmz. com/2007/ 03/12/oprah- my-school- is-safe-not- strict/
Mortgage Crisis
http://www.tompaine .com/articles/ 2007/03/15/ whose_mortgage_ crisis.php
U.S. Mortage Lender Loses Credit, Sparking Fallout Fears
http://rawstory. com/news/ afp/US_mortgage_ lender_loses_ credit_spa_ 03122007. html
Black Caucus Debates Will Air on CNN
http://www.variety. com/article/ VR1117961187. html?categoryid= 14&cs=1
NAACP Larger Than One Individual
http://www.blackame ricaweb.com/ site.aspx/ bawnews/bondnaac p315
This E-newsletter is Brought to You by Angels Press
http://www.angelspress. com
Cathy Harris is Publisher & CEO of Angels Press
http://www.cathyharrisspea ks.com
Check out Cathy's Blogs
http://www.angelspress. com/blogs. html
__._,_.___
Brought to You by Angels Press
http://www.angelspress. com
Friday, March 16, 2007
Atlanta, GA
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Videos of the Week
TO KILL A BLACK MAN by Michael Moore http://www.michaelmoore. com
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=xeOaTpYl8mE
Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas joined forces with Amnesty International posting a
video on the organization' s website to recognize International Women’s Day and bring attention to the
continued crimes against women taking place in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez.
http://www.amnestyusa. org/bordertown
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Become Empowered... Buy this book
‘How To Take Control of Your Own Life:
A Self Help Guide to Moving Forward’ by Cathy Harris
http://www.howtotakecontro l.com
"How to Take Control of Your Own Life" provides options which
can put you on the right track toward taking control of your own life.
The tragedy is the daily necessity for a book such as "How to Take Control of Your Own Life". The good news is that once educated on your options, you can make more educated decisions on how to live your life.
http://www.angelspress. com
Cathy Harris is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to moving forward. Known for her guerrilla marketing style by means of forums, radio interviews, e-broadcasts, web postings and newsletters, Cathy comes full circle with the release of this book.
As a 27 year retired federal employee and whistleblower, Cathy fought the system - the U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security and came out triumphant on the other side. As a Community Organizer, Advocate and Entrepreneur, she transitioned into a successful business owner while gathering a faithful following.
"How to Take Control of Your Own Life" is for those who have had “temporary setbacks” because of the current administration, the outsourcing of jobs and the downsizing of corporations.
Cathy believes now more than ever that community advocates like herself must speak for the people who have no voice such as the young, the elderly, the poor, the homeless, injured workers of America, and other sick people. Due to the current economy, these persons are now living without the basic essentials of life, which are food, clothing, and shelter. She believes we all need to be in the business of taking care of people. If we are not, then we need to seriously look at how we are living our lives.
The tragedy is that this book is necessary. The good news is that once educated on your options, you can make more educated decisions on how to live your life. "How to Take Control of Your Own Life" provides options that can put you on the right track toward taking control of your own life. It will guide you to the resources, mentors, and experts that you need to put you on the right path to peace, joy, and happiness.
Reality Based Seminars and Workshops
http://www.angelspress. com/workshops. html
Cathy Harris is available for Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops. She exposes business owners to advertising opportunities http://www.angelspress. com/HowToStartYo urOwnBusiness. html Coupled with the “this is how you do it” reality-based seminars and workshops, small business owners can immediately reap the rewards with Harris at the helm. She can be reached through her company Angels Press, P.O. Box 870849, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, Phone: (800) 797-8663, Fax: (678) 254-5018, Website: http://www.angelspress. com Email: info@angelspress. com
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
CALL TO ACTION - VERDICT IN THE SEAN BELL CASE
http://www.justiceforsean. net
The Grand Jury is about to give a verdict in the Sean Bell murder case. Be careful in the streets. No matter what the verdict is folks will be angry. I was not there that night in Queens. I do not know what happened. I do know one man is dead and the rest are injured for life and 2 children are missing a father.
To me the cops went beserk. All of their training, discipline and common sense went out the window and we are forced once again to ask the same old question "Would it have happened to White kids in a White neighborhood" .
Lastly, the bs about the cops who did the shooting were racially mixed. That is not even worth discussing. The police mentality and the police brass are White and hate Blacks and that mentality overrides the color of the police doing the murder.
So be vigilant, be aware, be careful and if there is any way, any form of protest, reaction or resistance go for it.
One of the suggestions is a total boycott of businesses in Queens.
Another is to boycott the Corporations that the PBA has invested their Pension Fund into.
Another is a letter writing blitz, another is a day of total withdrawal. We do not work, go to school, buy any goods or services or even drive our cars. A total economic freeze. If their God is money, slap their God.
Love and protect one another always.
Peace, Bro. Ernie
Luv4self_network@ yahoogroups, .com
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
From: nbppbrooklyn@ aol.com
To: akeem827@yahoo. com, akfrimpo@syr. edu, BASHLEFI@aol. com, blackpow7@yahoo. com, Derek7c@msn. com, Dharlemworld@ aol.com
Subject: SEAN BELL GRAND JURY DECISION IMMINENT
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:40:09 -0400
According to news accounts, 1,700 cops are in place and ready when the now deliberating grand jury in the Sean Bell Murder case comes back with a decision_which is expected this week.
What are the cops in place and ready for? will the murderers of Sean Bell not be indicted and the city might be expecting an uprising?
The mayor has employed an age old tactic of "meeting with community leaders" so they (the community leaders) can quell the massess when or if they erupt.
Why is NYPD placing a large police detail at Sharpton's headquarters? for what? is that to try and provoke something?
Sharpton nor his crew is going to do anything physically confrontational, they never have.
Gary Anthony Ramsey of NY1 News reported this morning that the energy" in Queens is tense and that's an understatement"
A cop was shot in Harlem last night, the soildier that did that is now dead because the cop fired back.
A cop was slashed last night in East NY, Brooklyn. The soildier that did that was fired upon by the officer, he and the officer are expected to recover.
last weekend a 25 year old struggled with an undercover cop at a club and was shot dead.
Long Live the BLA
If the decision to indict comes this Friday we are to assemble at Union Square The Day After, this Saturday @ 12Noon.
If the decision comes down before Friday we are to assemble The Day After,@5pm
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -
City awaits grand jury probe of groom's shooting
March 14, 2007
Story Highlights
• Grand jury is expected to announce results of probe into groom's shooting
• Sean Bell was shot by undercover NYPD officers hours before his wedding
• Extra police officers are on standby, and officials are on alert
• Mayor meets with community leaders, urges peace
Adjust font size:
NEW YORK (AP) -- The city anxiously awaited a decision by a grand jury that was weighing whether to charge five officers who unleashed the 50-shot barrage that killed an unarmed man on his wedding day.
The timing of a decision was uncertain because the proceedings are private. The grand jurors went home late Wednesday without having decided whether any officers should be indicted, and they were to reconvene Thursday.
The shooting that killed Sean Bell, 23, and wounded two of his companions on November 25 stirred outrage around New York, and officials were bracing for more of the same if the officers avoid charges. Bell was black, as are the other victims; three of the officers are black and two are white.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose community outreach program went into overdrive this week as months of grand jury presentations wound down, acknowledged that "there will be plenty of people who will disagree no matter what" the decision is.
"If anybody wants to use this as an excuse to cause disruption and violate the law, they will find that our police department will do exactly what they're trained to do and hired to do," the mayor warned. "We will make sure that everybody is as safe on the streets before the grand jury rules as afterward."
The killing of Bell and the wounding of his bachelor party guests, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, raised questions about police tactics and prompted vigils and protests by civil rights activists.
Guzman, Benefield and Nicole Paultre Bell, who was to marry Bell and legally took his name after his death, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton on Wednesday afternoon in Harlem, appearing on his radio show while awaiting the grand jury's decision.
"I need justice," said Guzman, who was shot 16 times and arrived on crutches, his leg in a walking cast.
"I'm praying," said Paultre Bell.
Sharpton, who has acted as a spokesman of sorts for Bell's family, said Tuesday that "certain levels of protests and visible actions" would likely arise if there were no indictments, but he said he expected those actions to be peaceful.
"Rather than worry if there's going to be violence, I would think they'd be worried about the violence that already occurred," he said in an interview. "Fifty shots is about as violent as you can get."
Paul Williams, 35, of the Bronx said all five officers should be charged.
"They killed a man for no reason," Williams said. "That's my opinion. You don't shoot and then ask questions. They're all guilty. They should all be charged."
Also Wednesday, the district attorney's office said it was aware of someone who came forward to say he was a witness to the shooting and had information about it. But it was unclear whether the grand jury would seek information from the person or continue without it.
The officers testified in ascending order, based on the number of bullets they fired: Detective Paul Headley, who fired one round, and Officer Michael Carey, who fired three, testified first. Officer Marc Cooper fired four shots, and he was followed to the stand by Officer Gescard Isnora, who fired 11 shots. Michael Oliver, who reloaded and fired 31 shots, went last on Friday.
Union representatives and lawyers for the officers have said their clients, who were conducting an undercover investigation at a strip club, became convinced Bell and his friends were going to retrieve a gun from a car after overhearing them argue with another patron. No gun was found.
The grand jurors had been instructed to consider several charges: second-degree murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide stemming from Bell's death; and attempted murder, assault or reckless endangerment in the wounding of Benefield and Guzman.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
The Sean Bell fiasco in Black and white
by ALTON H. MADDOX JR.
Originally posted 3/8/2007
Whenever a Black person is accused of committing a heinous crime against a white person, white legislators immediately enact repressive legislation. Whenever a white person commits a heinous crime against a Black person, Black leaders only call for police-approved marches, even if the policemen are the suspects.
Black legislators know that penal laws are reserved almost exclusively for Blacks. It would take a courageous Black legislator who can think outside the box to write penal laws aimed at police assassins. Nonetheless, these laws have to be strictly construed. Stated differently, penal laws have to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Every time p olice terrorism erupts, like the murders of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell, the New York Times always comes out with a headline about the difficulty of convicting cops. This would not happen if Blacks were represented by officials who were taking care of business in legislative chambers.
The media has indoctrinated the public to see cops in ghettos performing the same jobs as soldiers on battlefields. This happens by the use of terms like the “war on drugs,” “war on crime” and “war on terrorism.” These terms emanate from the executive branches of government.
The typical grand juror has been brainwashed to believe that it is his or her civic duty to find justification for a police killing. A prosecutor exploits this perception by wrongfully instructing the grand jury in favor of the police. This is a power of the executive branch of government.
These grand jury instructions are not only secret, but are also disposable. To make matters worse, witnesses testifying in the Sean Be ll, et. al. grand jury have failed to divulge the racial makeup of the grand jury or the Q&A. These witnesses are not sworn to secrecy.
After I successfully demanded a special prosecutor in the racially motivated murder of Michael Griffith in Howard Beach and subsequent convictions ensued, the New York Legislature eventually enacted hate crime legislation to announce its commitment to prosecute some racists and bigots. Special legislation facilitates criminal convictions.
Homicide statutes are not aimed at convicting cops. They are aimed at common-law criminals. The critical question is why Black selected officials have refused to introduce special legislation against police terrorism and crimes against humanity? Thus, history is about to repeat itself in Sean Bell, et. al. See the acquittals in Amadou Diallo.
Police terrorism arises when cops, acting under color of law and in violation of the U.S. Constitution, engage in terrorist acts which cause or which are likely to cause death. This is a condition precedent for a crime against humanity, and it also includes acts that are “shocking to the conscience” and, thus, in violation of due process of law.
Until New York enacts special legislation penalizing police terrorism and crimes against humanity, no cop will serve any sentence for participating in a firing squad without any semblance of due process of law. Similarly, the grand jury investigation is a fraud.
After Griffith was murdered in Howard Beach and before New York enacted hate crime legislation, it took special, grassroots grit to secure convictions, including, but not limited to, a “Day of Outrage.” White supremacy will never bend without continued pressure.
The torture of Abner Louima is far different than the executions of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell. In torturing Louima, police officers Justin Volpe and Charles Schwarz had cost New York City six times more money than the four assassins who executed Diallo. Schwarz and Volpe only intended to torture Louima. They violated a shoot-to-kill policy.
After a defendant has been convicted of murder in a court of law, Utah allows for four marksmen, each armed with a single round from .30 caliber rifles, to shoot at a spot marked by a medical doctor over the convicted defendant’s heart. The fifth marksman is given a blank round.
The four bullets cause rupture of the heart and the defendant goes into shock from a loss of blood. This happens in Utah with the presence of a medical doctor. Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield were, perforce, denied immediate medical attention with the hope that they would die and save the city millions of dollars.
New York gives cops the same powers as the state has in Utah but without any need for due process of law. A cop, in New York, is judge, jury and executioner. Moreover, the assassinations of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
To make matters worse, any state-sponsored execution, with a fusillade of 50 bullets, is “shocking to the conscience” under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. No civilized society would permit this kind of barbaric practice.
If Utah would propose to execute a convicted defendant in a hail of 50 bullets, the U.S. Supreme Court would step in immediately and enjoin the execution. The federal government has a responsibility to immediately remove this bogus grand jury investigation from Queens County.
A state grand jury, in New York, is given the power to exonerate five assassins despite their odious violations of the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Something is wrong with this picture, unless you peruse Art. 1, sec. 2 of the U.S. Constitution.
After the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws in 1937 in Nazi Germany, there is no recorded history of the Gestapo wantonly and maliciously gunning down a Gypsy, a Black or a Jew in a hail of bullet s. Genocide is happening under the nose of the United Nations.
Whites, who Blacks elected to the executive branch of government in New York, are committing crimes against descendants of enslaved Africans that even Adolph Hitler never envisioned happening in Nazi Germany, and Negro collaborators are acting in concert with the executive branch of government to deflect blame from the guilty.
On Wednesday, March 14, UAM’s weekly forum will be held at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street (near Classon Avenue) in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, March 15, I will speak on “Law as a Tool of Repression to Contain Diversity” at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Room 4M05 in Queens from 8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
The trial of the eviction proceeding concerning my residence is scheduled for March 22 at 9:30 a.m. at Manhattan Housing Court, 111 Centre Street, Room 523 in Manhattan.
White lawyers framed the U.S. Constitution and established the Ku Klux Klan. Without strong Black lawyers, Black people will be destroyed under due process of law.
Robert Williams, a revolutionary activist in North Carolina in the 1950s who authored “Negroes with Guns” and had to flee to Cuba and China, will be remembered at UAM at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street in Brooklyn on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. His wife, Mabel Williams, will discuss his revolutionary spirit in addition to the showing of a documentary of his life.
See: Blueprint to End Police Terrorism, the December 14, 2006 Order of the U.S.D.C., E.D.N.Y., and Position Paper on a Black Agenda for 2007–10 at http://www.reinstatealtonm addox.com.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
Community Control! Police Accountability!
The NYPD's murder of Sean Bell and attempted murders of Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman are NOT isolated or random events. They represent the continued targeting of communities of color by the police and the lack of
accountability for police misconduct and abuse.
A Grand Jury is being convened for a possible indictment against the cops involved in the shootings, with a decision maybe coming as soon as tomorrow. The day AFTER the grand jury decision, come to
Union Square
to show that
WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!!
----------
PEOPLES' JUSTICE: Community Control & Police
Accountability!
------------
Gather at
Union Square
the Day After the grand jury
decision in the
Sean Bell Case.
Bear witness that justice must be served for
Bell, Benefield, Guzman
and all those who have been killed and brutalized by
the police. Be at
Union Square
@ 5pm if the day after the grand jury decision
is a weekday; 12:00 noon
if the day after is a weekend! *** To endorse or get
more info, contact us
Peoples' Justice at:
peoplesjustice2007@ yahoo.com
http://www.justiceforsean. net
In Unity and Solidarity-
Black Cotton Entertainment
1028A Franklin Ave.
Newark, NJ 07107
(718) 415-0523
BlackCottonEntertai nment@gmail. com
http://www.myspace. com/blackcotton_ entertainment
Black Cotton: "The Symbol of Unrewarded Struggle"
PEOPLES JUSTICE CALL FOR THE DAY AFTER
Gather at 5pm at Union Square The Day After the grand jury decision in the Sean Bell case if the day after the grand jury decision is a weekday
Gather at 12 noon at Union Square if The Day After is a weekend
14th Street, between University Place & Broadway, Manhattan
(4/5/6 to Union Square, F/L/V to 14th Street)
For more information, visit the Peoples Justice myspace page http://www.myspace. com/peoplesjusti ce
------------ --------- --------- ---------
MANY colors - ONE race
http://caroltaylorw ord.blogspot. com
SUBVERT THE DOMINANT PARADIGM
http://www.racismtest. com
OPEN LETTER TO KILLER-COP KENNETH BOSS
You, my little shameless epitome of white male supremacy, are making a laughingstock of the New York City Police Department by 'biting the hand that fed you' - suing them after you brought them into disrepute by murdering city residents you swore to protect.
You shot Black Brother Patrick Bailey to death in Brooklyn (you and the other thugs-in-blue stood by and allowed that melaninized young man to bleed to death only TWO MINUTES away from Brookdale Hospital!) - then you blustered on up to the Bronx with yer city-sanctioned killercop street unit to gun down (41 bullets!) unarmed Amadou Diallo in 1997, in front of his own dwelling as he was minding his own business entering his own home.
Now, only a few agonizing ('agonizing' because this racist/colorist sysDUMB of criminal 'justice' moved your 'trial' out of multi-colored Bronx up to all-white Albany so as to ensure that you and your blue-Assassins gang could walk free of the responsibility for slaughtering an innocent-of- any-crime Black African male) - after these agonizing years, you - understanding that the Black Panther Party is no longer organized to take out your sorry slaughtering ass - have the consummate gall to raise your stinkevil head in public and to - incredibly - gather your hoary legs under you to sue your former employer, the recalcitrant- when-it-comes- to-equity- for-BlackFolk, New York City Police Department.
It's truly BARF-TIME in Brooklyn. When I heard this on a newscast on WBAI Radio, I hadda' realquick call up my Son's saying to save my sanity:"Mum, huemans will do anything!" Well, I guess so! The adage, "What goes around comes aroung" is also applicable here: one the one hand, we've got New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly adamantly and continuously refusing to set up routine Racism/Colorism Quotient Testing (with Follow-Up Psych Counseling) of his racist/colorist police force - counterproductively 'looking the other way' as his rabid cops like you unendingly murder Black males with impunity, as he - your 'Leader,' spews out idiotic platitudes about "It wuz justified" and "It wuz just a terrible tragedy" and "It's not systemic' - ensuring the vicious continuation of Black male 'slaughter-by- cop' police terrorism against people of color!
On the other bloody hand, we - the ever-benighted Black community, hearing about your blatant disregard for our feelings as you show your evil face in public, have to stand for that kick in the ass as we await - ironically at the same fucking time, some delayed 'Grand' Jury decision on the unconscionable terror-slaughter, by 5 NYPD goons in blue, of the unarmed, unsuspecting, non-criminal 23 year old Black Sean Bell on his wedding day!
JESUS H. CHRIST! How long and how much are BlackFolk supposed to TAKE here in 'The Belly of The Beast' in these United Snakes of AmeriKKKA?
What wuz that about 'turning worms?'
As you, Kenneth Boss, have joined the NYPD homicidal group of white male killer-Catholic- Cops, (most of the Black males y'all've slaughtered have been killed mostly by white male Catholic cops in the NYPD) perhaps you can tell us - your taxpaying employers - whether it was your Catholic upbringing or your Mother who influenced you so horribly to feel that it's your (unholy) right to blow away hueman beings of color any damn time you please - with impunity.
PATRICK DORISMOND COMMEMORATION
March 31, 2007 (*NOTE NEW DATE*)
6:00pm
Walt Whitman School
72 Veronica Place, Brooklyn
Join Lakou-NY, Families of Stolen Lives, and community activists at a screening of Giuliani Time to commemorate the life of Patrick Dorismond, killed by NYPD March 16, 2000
GENERAL MEETING FOR OCTOBER 22 COALITION
April 11, 2007
6:00pm
Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway, between Bond and Great Jones Streets, Manhattan
(6 to Bleecker Street, D/B/F/V to Broadway-Lafayette)
Tap into the local fight against police brutality
FUNDRAISING EVENT + STOLEN LIVES BANNER PROJECT
May 19, 2007
Time TBA
Location TBA
Fundraising event in the works that will hopefully include musical and poetic performances and a collective project of creating a new Stolen Lives banner
PACK THE COURT FOR JUANITA YOUNG
DATE TBA
Bronx Criminal Court
161st Street & Sheridan Avenue, Bronx
(B/D/4 to 161st Street-Yankee Stadium)
After getting brutalized and arrested by police in her own home and then tortured by cops, handcuffed and later shackled to a hospital bed for four days, the outspoken police brutality activist was given a DAT.
Stand with Juanita on the day that she faces criminal charges from the precinct that attacked her and that had murdered her son Malcolm Ferguson in 2000
The October 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has been mobilizing every year since 1996 for a National Day of Protest on October 22, bringing together those under the gun and those not under the gun as a powerful voice to expose the epidemic of police brutality.
The Coalition also works on the Stolen Lives Project, which documents cases of killings by law enforcement nationwide. The second edition of the Stolen Lives book documents over 2000 cases in the 1990's alone. The second volume to this book is now in the works, and volunteers are needed to help with the research and editing. Please contact the National Office at 1-888-NO BRUTALITY or info@october22. org for more information.
To contact the New York local coordinating committee of October 22 Coalition:
Telephone/Fax: 866-235-7814 (toll-free)
E-mail: oct22ny@yahoo. com
Website: october22-ny. org
To subscribe to the listserv for announcements, statements, etc., send a blank e-mail to oct22ny-subscribe@ topica.com
------------ -------
UPDATE - San Francisco 8
From: SF-8 case <cdhrsupport@ freedomarchives. org
Reply-to: CDHR_right@hotmail. com
To: Recipient list suppressed:;
Subject: [Cdhrsupport] Strong showing at rally for SF 8; hearing postponed
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 08:44:44 -0400
Strong showing at rally for SF 8; hearing postponed
SF Bayview
by Cynthia Nelson
“Free the SF 8! Kidnapped by the state!” As the sun peeked over the city skyline Tuesday morning, a lively and vocal crowd of supporters of the political prisoners known as the San Francisco 8 rallied in front of the county jail at 850 Bryant, where six of the men are now being held.
The 50-100 demonstrators included elders, young folks and everyone in between, including a small contingent of bike messengers. They join protests that have been taking place in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Orlando and elsewhere around the country.
Later that morning, the court was scheduled to hold a bail hearing for the SF 8. Bails have been set at an impossible $3 million each. Considering that the men appeared voluntarily for the 2005 San Francisco Grand Jury and present a low flight risk, the amount is exorbitant. The men, now elders, had been living quiet lives and are known for community involvement. Some are employed by the city or volunteer with city agencies. Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim have been political prisoners since the 1970s.
The six other Black Panther veterans arrested on Jan. 23 were Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Henry Watson Jones, Richard O’Neal, Harold Taylor and Francisco Torres. The case, which involves the shooting death of a San Francisco police officer in 1971, has had no leads in three decades. Some of the men were charged more than 30 years ago, but charges were dropped in 1975 because the only evidence was a confession shown to have been elicited after prolonged torture. The government claims new scientific technology, but the technology hasn’t changed in 25 years.
The government seems set on keeping the men imprisoned. Barely 20 minutes after the hearing began, the courtroom empti ed of people wearing “Free the SF 8!” buttons. The judge had arraigned Francisco Torres, who was recently extradited from New York, and then postponed the hearing until April 27.
Mattie Scott is co-founder of The Healing Circle, a support group of Black women and men who have lost loved ones to violence, and they seek to prevent violence from perpetuating. They question the priorities of law enforcement: The cases of too many slain family members remain open, while the California attorney general goes after a case with no developments since the ‘70s.
Scott is a neighbor of Richard O’Neal – their children grew up together. “He’s done nothing but good things for the community, he and Richard Brown. And this is just not right,” she comments. “We pay taxes, we work here, we raise our children here. The police [should] work for us.”
Stuart Hanlon is a defense attorney representing Herman Bell. Objecting to the shackles that constantly chain the wrists and ankles of the brothers, he states, “They’re not security risks, but they’re being treated as such.” And responding to the nationwide protests and the persisting excessive security at the courtroom: “People have a right to speak out, and the public should. What we’re seeing here is a court system that’s afraid of the public. It’s terrific, the support of these men.”
Cynthia Nelson, a media studies graduate student at New College and intern at the Bay View, can be reached at cynthianellie@ gmail.com.
Write to the SF 8
Judging from a letter that a young prisoner at 850 Bryant wrote to the Bay View, the San Francisco 8 are passing around their copies of the paper along with generous portions of inspiration. As their supporters, it is our job to keep their spirits up by writing words of encouragement.
To write to the six who are now being held in the San Francisco County Jail, address letters wit h each man’s name and number and this address: 850 Bryant St., San Francisco CA 94103. Their names and numbers follow:
Ray Boudreaux, 2301300; Richard Brown, 2300819; Richard O’Neal, 2300818; Harold Taylor, 2305584; Francisco Torres, 2307534.
Henry W. (Hank) Jones, 2301301 is at 425 Seventh Street, San Francisco CA 94103
The other two are still being held in New York prisons: Herman Bell, 79C0262, Sullivan Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg NY 12733-0116; Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom), 77A4283, Auburn Correctional Facility, 135 State St., P.O. Box 618, Auburn NY 13024
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221 Pasadena, CA 91109 (626) 345-4939 CDHR_right@hotmail. com
------------ --------- -
UPDATE H. RAP BROWN
From: Freedom Ain't Free!
To: andrick anderson
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 5:26 PM
Subject: FREE H. RAP BROWN!!!!
FREE IMAM JAMIL!!!
(FORMERLY H. RAP BROWN)
FRIDAY MARCH 16TH 2007
3PM RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE
7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE FRAMING & KIDNAPPING OF IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN
RALLY TAKES PLACE ON:
547 WEST END PLACE (IN THE FIELD)
THE CORNER OF OAK ST & WEST END PLACE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ***
6:30 PM FILM SHOWINGS/COINTELPRO OVERVIEW
*IMAM JAMIL INTERVIEW WITH GIL NOBLE
*BRIEF COINTELPRO OVERVIEW
*IMAM JAMIL TRIAL ON AMERICAN JUSTICE
FILM/OVERVIEW TAKES PLACE AT:
THE WEST END ISLAMIC CENTER
1193 LUCILE AVE (CORNER OF LUCILLE & HOLDERNESS)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FOR MORE INFO: 770-572-0283 OR http://WWW.ICSIJA.TK
------------ --------- ---
Black Walgreen Employees File Class-Action
http://www.walgreensclass. com
March 10, 2007
Fourteen current and former Walgreens employees from Illinois,
Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Texas, Indiana and Michigan have filed a nationwide
race discrimination class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of Illinois against Walgreen Company in Tucker et
al. v. Walgreen Co., Case No. 05-CV-440-GPM.
The class action suit charges that Walgreens discriminates against its
black employees in hiring, promotions, compensation and store
assignments in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. § 1981.
The lawsuit claims in part that Walgreens steers its black employees to
work at stores located in areas that have predominantly black customers
and/or lower income customers. Walgreens uses an internal store
classification system of "peer groups" that categorizes stores based on race
and income. The class action plaintiffs claim that black employees are
systematically denied advancement opportunities because Walgreens steers
them to the minority/lower income peer group stores. Earning
opportunities and work conditions are materially worse in the stores where the
black management employees are steered and segregated.
Walgreen Co., the nation's largest drugstore chain, reported sales in
excess of $42.2 billion in 2005. The company operates more than 5,156
stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
“Every worker should have equal rights in the workplace. It is
disappointing that a company as large as Walgreens continues to allow such
racially biased practices to exist.” said plaintiffs’counsel, Tiffany
Klosener of Foland Wickens Eisfelder Roper & Hofer.
"What is so stunning is that in 2005 black employees are not only
suffering discrimination in seeking to advance their careers at Walgreens,
but are facing segregation. The segregation is a throwback to a time
that most of us thought was gone from American life.” added Kent Spriggs
of Spriggs Law Firm in Tallahassee, Florida, co-counsel for the
plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs are represented by the law firms of Foland, Wickens,
Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer, P.C. (Kansas City), Spriggs Law Firm
(Tallahassee) and Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian (Oakland).
Mr. Spriggs, one of the most experienced class action attorneys in the
country, authored the two-volume text Representing Plaintiffs in Title
VII Actions.
A toll free number (1-877-397-2529) has been set up to learn more about
the case.
Other Discrimination News is Located at New Blog
http://www.cathyharris- workplace. blogspot. com
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Atlanta News & Call to Action
Legislative Alert - Derwin Brown
http://www.derwinbrown. org
The alert will in effect encourage people to contact the capitol in support of HR103.They,the subcommitte on Appropriations, have decided not to hold a hearing on Billy Mitchell`s bill(HR103), for compensation in support of sheriff Derwin Brown`s family. Put in the alert that people call Rep.Don Parsons, the chairman of the subcommittee on Appropriations, and tell him that we support HR103 and would like the legislators to hold a hearing on the matter.Parsons is a representative out of Cobb
County, Marrietta, GA. His number is (404)463-2247; email:repdon@gmail. com;fax:(404)463- 2249.
If they support the Brown family than this is the opportunity to do so by calling, emailing or faxing a letter to Rep.Parsons. Also put in the alert the following information: HR103is sponsored by Rep.Billy Mitchell and Rep. R.Mangham; summary of bill: A resolution compensating Sherrif Derwin Brown`s family. To read bill 103, go to http://www.legis.state. ga.us and plug in HR103. Thanks ron parker.
------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
Atlanta Activist Rev. James Orange Youngest Daughter Dies
Greetings:
I have been asked to share the following sad news with you. Please keep the Orange family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Ms. Pamela Aquica Orange made her transition from this earthly life on March 11, 2007.
Ms. Orange was the youngest daughter of the Rev. James and Cleophas Orange and the sister of Jamida, Deirdre, Tamara, and Cleon Orange; and the aunt of JaClea' and Brandon Orange.
Ms. Orange's arrangements are being handled by:
Edwards and Sons Funeral Home
3318 Glenwood Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30032
404-289-8601
Rev and Mrs. Orange's address is:
1436 Westmont Road Atlanta,
Georgia 30311 (404-755-3002)
Ms. Orange's homegoing celebration will be held on:
Saturday, March 17, 2007 @ 12:00 noon
St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church
1558 Venetian Drive Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30311
404-758-4462
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the M.L.K, March Committee In Memory of Pamela Aquica Orange Post Office Box 42621, Atlanta, Georgia 30311
Kirk Surgeon
------------ --------- -------
------------ --
U.S. lets whistle-blowers lose jobs
By Peter Eisler, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The federal government is sanctioning agreements that cost whistle-blowers their jobs after they expose safety and security lapses at nuclear facilities and toxic waste sites, Labor Department records show.
Federal law requires the department to safeguard whistle-blowers from reprisals and approve settlements of their retaliation claims against private or federal employers. Yet 45 of 73 settlements approved since 2000 involving whistle-blowers who complained of environmental and nuclear safety problems included permanent bans on working for the employer.
FALLOUT: Had to accept 'defeat,' says whistle-blower
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement that the clauses amount to blacklisting, which is barred under whistle-blower protection laws. He promised to investigate their use: "It is especially troubling to now learn that our own Department of Labor … is recklessly approving (employment bans) to the detriment of individuals who had the audacity to report wrongdoing."
The employment bans stem from cases in which companies settled charges that they wrongly fired or disciplined whistle-blowers. In some cases, the settlements came after state or federal authorities validated the workers' concerns about safety and health issues.
The Labor Department released the agreements under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Government Accountability Project (GAP), a whistle-blower advocacy group that provided the records to USA TODAY.
GAP has petitioned the department to prohibit the employment bans. The group said the bans violate the workers' rights to keep their jobs under whistle-blower protection laws.
The Labor Department would not comment on details of the settlements it released to GAP. In a written statement, it said it is "giving careful consideration" to GAP's petition.
The agreements amount to "economic coercion," GAP lawyer Tom Carpenter said. "It's silencing those workers by removing them. … It sends a message to everyone on site that raising a concern gets you a lifetime employment ban."
Whistle-blowers often wait months or years without pay while their cases await legal reviews. They tend to accept settlements with employment bans because they need the back pay and monetary damages, Carpenter said.
Gregory Keating, a Boston lawyer who represents employers in whistle-blower cases, said the restrictions are legitimate. "These agreements are knowing, they're voluntary, and you have a federal agency putting its stamp of approval on them that says the public interest is covered," he said.
If the Labor Department fails to bar employment bans, Dingell said, he will consider legislation to do so. Whistle-blowers "should be treated as heroes, not pariahs," he said.
------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
FOCUS | FBI Abuses May Lead to Patriot Act Limits
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031007Y. shtml
Rove's Involvement in US Attorney Firings Confirmed by White House
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207J. shtml
Senator Schumer Says Gonzales Should Go
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207K. shtml
Top US Generals Offer Bleakest Assessment Yet on Iraq
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207L. shtml
Ann Wright | Why I Will March to Support the Troops and End the War
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207M. shtml
For War's Gravely Injured, Challenge to Find Care
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207N. shtml
Paul Krugman | Overblown Personnel Matters
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207O. shtml
Loan Turmoil Closes Doors for Buyers
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207P. shtml
Report Says FBI Violated Patriot Act Guidelines
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907J. shtml
Democrats Roll Out Iraq Withdrawal Plans in Both Houses
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907K. shtml
Noam Chomsky | A Predator Becomes More Dangerous When Wounded
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907L. shtml
FOCUS | Rove Was Asked to Fire US Attorney
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031107Z. shtml
Disney First Black Princess
http://www.msnbc. msn.com/id/ 17524865/
Los Angeles Gang Crackdown
http://www.latimes. com/news/ local/la- me-gangs10mar10, 0,7829803. story?coll= la-home-headline s
Immigration Raid Under Way in Arizona
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907S. shtml
Justice Department Says FBI Misused Patriot Act
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/030907T.shtml
House OKs Clean-Water Bill Over Bush Objections
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907EC. shtml
Paul Krugman | A History of America's Disappearing Middle Class
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907LA. shtml
Iraqi Women's Death Sentences Spur European Outcry
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907WA. shtml
Abortion Bill Heading to Mississippi Governor
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907WB. shtml
Los Angeles Gang Crackdown
http://www.latimes. com/news/ local/la- me-gangs10mar10, 0,7829803. story?coll= la-home-headline s
Inmates Could Trade an Organ for an Early Out
http://www.truthout .org/issues_ 06/030907HA. shtml
Chertoff Defends New Computer
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20070310/ ap_on_re_ us/homeland_ security_ computers
Army Surgeon General Resigns Over Walter Reed Scandal
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207R. shtml
Businesses Prepare to Mount a Concerted Attack on Regulation
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207S. shtml
Activists Announce Protests at Pentagon and on Campuses
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031207T. shtml
Halliburton will move HQ to Dubai - Yahoo! News
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20070312/ ap_on_bi_ ge/emirates_ halliburton
Congress Demands Rove Testimony on Attorney Firings
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307J. shtml
Dems Abandon War Authority Provision
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307K. shtml
Treasury Casts a Wide Net Under Patriot Act
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307L. shtml
David Bacon | Guest Workers Fired After Protesting Slavelike Conditions
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307M. shtml
Proposed UN Women's Agency Gains Key Ally
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307N. shtml
A Quarter of US War Vets Diagnosed With Mental Disorder
http://www.truthout .org/docs_ 2006/031307O. shtml
Oprah: My School is Safe, Not Strict
http://www.tmz. com/2007/ 03/12/oprah- my-school- is-safe-not- strict/
Mortgage Crisis
http://www.tompaine .com/articles/ 2007/03/15/ whose_mortgage_ crisis.php
U.S. Mortage Lender Loses Credit, Sparking Fallout Fears
http://rawstory. com/news/ afp/US_mortgage_ lender_loses_ credit_spa_ 03122007. html
Black Caucus Debates Will Air on CNN
http://www.variety. com/article/ VR1117961187. html?categoryid= 14&cs=1
NAACP Larger Than One Individual
http://www.blackame ricaweb.com/ site.aspx/ bawnews/bondnaac p315
This E-newsletter is Brought to You by Angels Press
http://www.angelspress. com
Cathy Harris is Publisher & CEO of Angels Press
http://www.cathyharrisspea ks.com
Check out Cathy's Blogs
http://www.angelspress. com/blogs. html
__._,_.___
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network