Oscar Grant - this death brought together many sane forces to bring about justice for all.

For some months now a MOVEMENT has been active and visiting places like Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, Oakland, East Palo Alto, and San Francisco. We are visiting children, women, and men of good faith and asking them to think hard - and ponder more the injustices meted-out to the poor and those that cannot defend - themselves.

In order to do this we must be educated on issues. We must be united. And for once put aside our petty egos and strike a balance to take us all to a better place.

It is very true that Oscar Grant is no more. And it is very true that we have clear evidence of a cold blooded shooting and killing. But, we must remember our judicial system does not favor the poor - and even the best of lawyers - have been know to screw up.

We also have the Jury System and if this case is transferred to a place that does not fairly represent diversity - we could see a protest and further repercussions - never ever seen in the history of contemporary Bay Area history - linked to a very huge protest and riots of a kind.

We must pay careful attention to the men some six of them that were jailed for over six hours on January 1, 2009. No one has demanded why this was done. And we have had no apology from the Bart Board of Directors and from anyone in authority.

It is critical when such incidents happen that investigative reporting is done and the various layers of injustice peeled to reveal the blatant - TRUTH.

In the press and the general Main Press Media the truth is not being told.

And even Mayor Ron Dellum is speaking in generalities - as he did not address the issues on time - but only when he felt his ass and his pants caught on fire. Generalities do not bode well for any so called Mayor that is NOT hands on - sits on the fence and waits to see - which side is green.

Shame on those that are pandering to the Mayor Ron Dellums. Ron Dellums has failed Oakland so we really cannot expect - anything from his abject failure on many fronts.

We must also delve into the jurisdiction of the Bart Police and the many rogue instances when Bart Police act rudely with cause.

Once some years ago I witnessed this myself and I stepped up and put an end to the nonsense. They knew at once that I knew a lot about Law Enforcement and backed off. But, I know for certain - if I had not intervened the Black youth - would have been sent to jail.

Bart Police have jurisdiction over the many Bart Stations and over 10 jurisdictions. And there are Memoranda of Understanding with the Local Police that give Bart Police - total control and there fore - the ability to either help or harm. Many of the times - if the youth or the adults are of color - they are treated like dirt.

The Bart Board knows this - but they have been slow to address the real issues - until the Oscar Grant incident - hit them in the face.

Some Rogue Bart Police Officers have never been sent for a rehabilitation course.

Many continue to be on the force when they should have been fired a long time ago.

This is common with many Law Enforcement agencies and recently we saw it with the Oakland Police Department - Police officers abusing the law and falsifying the reports.

Many Bart Police Officers have never ever been reprimanded.

The Bart Police Chief - with a smirk on his face - must be fired - I remember him taking this case - linked to Oscar Grant - slightly and making vague statements - when the evidence was clear to all present - and those that saw the many videos.

Community Policing is essential and a Task Force must be set up to first have a Office of Citizens Complaints monitor the Bart Police.

Further another smaller Task Force to study the jurisdictions and the many incidents involving - discrimination, beatings, and so on by Bart Police.

We require this Empirical Data to study the cases and bring out a model that puts the Bart Police Officers on notice and more the Bart Directors. Many of them who have been pandering to the authorities must go.

A web site must be set up so that people can post such complaints. Complaints linked to discrimination, abuse, unruly behavior, and so on.

Some independent entity can review the complaints and bring about some ruling that will improve Bart.

Clearly in the case of Oscar Grant and the six young men incarcerated and treated badly - the Bart Police failed in their duty and more the Bart Public Relations folks - that were caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Check this out:

http://www.franciscodacosta.com/articles/blossoms095.html

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy