Town Hall for Justice on AB312, BART, Orloff Recall, and Caravan for Justice III, Oakland, 4/18/09: audio

(audio 59:17)

Minister Keith Muhammad notes that representatives from every police union in California made statements against AB312 at the April 14th Public Safety Committee hearing. He also recounts how a committee staffer did not even recognize the name Oscar Grant, which is striking when the entire impetus for AB312 and the hearing on it was based on the murder of Oscar Grant by BART police on January 1st. He goes on to discuss the six committee members in the Public Safety Committee, who they are and the public pressure that will be required to get the committee to vote on the bill in order to push it to a full vote of the California Legislature before it reaches a sort of limbo and becomes a "two-year bill" if it is not acted upon within the next few weeks. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano was irked by the BART letter delivered one day before the hearing that claimed that the legislation was not necessary as the BART Board was on a path to create civilian oversight by the end of this year. Assemblypersons Jerry Hill (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a19/) and Warren Furutani (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a55/) voiced support for AB312 -- and Minister Keith encourage people to thank them for their support -- but it comes down to convincing undeclared Assemblypersons Fiona Ma from San Francisco (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a12/) and/or Nancy Skinner from Berkeley (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a14/) in order to move the bill forward. Minister Keith encouraged the public to show up at their offices of Fiona Ma and Nancy Skinner on Friday when they are required to be in their local offices to lobby for an affirmative committee vote on AB312.

(audio 7:39)

Diana Davis-Marks speaks of the Oscar Grant family's request that as many people as possible write letters to President Obama about the injustice of the murder of Oscar Grant. Letters can be delivered in person to the family at the next two Town Halls or by emailing wecangetitdone [at] gmail.com. She intended to deliver the letters in person to the White House in the coming weeks. She also speaks of a trip to the Los Angeles area this coming weekend that she is planning to speak to college students and build support for justice for Oscar Grant and other victims of police violence.

(audio 4:54)

Bobby Johnson speaks of his willingness to actively fight for justice for Oscar Grant and his appreciation for the many people who have been working for justice.

(audio 10:46)

Jack Bryson reads a letter he recently wrote and read to students at San Jose State.

(audio 12:09)

Reverend Daniel Buford speaks about a meeting with he had with Assemblyperson Sandre Swanson (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a16/). Swanson told Daniel Buford and others about how the public can begin to chip away at unjust laws like three strikes. Daniel Buford then goes on to address the environmental injustices of the heavy pollution communities face in the "Toxic Triangle" of the Bay Area.

(audio 32:48)

Kelly from Oakland Copwatch speaks about what they are doing to monitor police activity. There is a training on April 29th at the Intertribal Friendship House.

Yvette from BAMN talks about their upcoming Public Tribunal at UC Berkeley on April 22nd.

Chuck, a media consultant in Mayor Dellums' office, speaks about the media initiatives he is pursuing as well as encouraging the public to get involved and contact him if they have any issues with things they think the Mayor should be doing.