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Press Conference Regarding City Attempt to Preempt Day of Verdict Community Gathering, 7/6/10: video
The Oakland General Assembly for Justice for Oscar Grant held a second press conference in less than a week after it was learned that Councilmember Desley Brooks was heading up organizing a counter-event at the same time and place as the community gathering set for the day the verdict in the Mehserle murder trial was announced, 6pm at 14th and Broadway. It was obvious that the purpose for the city-led event, although not officially sponsored by the City of Oakland, was to undermine the community gathering that had been called for as early as late May before the trial of Johannes Mehserle even began. Addressing those fretting about civil unrest, Michael Walker, aka Ghetto Prophet, concluded the press conference by declaring: "For anybody out there who feels like people are against peace, if you really want peace in this city, then fight for justice, and I guarantee you'll have peace."
The press conference was held on the sidewalk on 14th Street at the edge of Frank Ogawa plaza at the same time that free chicken and soda were being handed out in Room 104 of City Hall, where Oakland officials and NGO leaders were scrambling at the last minute to organize the city-approved and sanitized event that was to counter the grassroots community gathering on the day of the verdict. They claimed that Wanda Johnson, Oscar Grant's mother, would call into the city-led event to speak, although that never happened. The idea of a candlelight vigil was discussed, although it was determined that those candles should be electric and not real candles. They had a promotional flier ready that read at the very top "Don't burn your city!".
The Oakland police department likewise did their part to counter the community gathering by visiting Oakland schools to discourage youth from attending the grassroots speak-out. When police asked if students intended to go, they say "no," but as soon as the OPD left the room, the students said they couldn't wait to go to 14th & broadway after the verdict.
Besides confronting the counter-organizing effort at the press conference, five demands were issued: Tony Pirone must be tried for accessory to murder, abolish the California Police Bill of Rights, a federal indictment must be issued against BART for civil rights violations, BART police must be disarmed, and the new gang injunctions in Oakland must be declared unconstitutional.
Speakers at the General Assembly for Justice press conference included Jabari Shaw, president of Laney College BSU, Michael Walker, both of whom attended Meherle's trial in Los Angeles (with their friend Tim Killings, who was arrested and spent three days in jail for speaking out in the LA court room during Meherle's testimony), and Tracey Bell-Borden.
Press Release: Civic Leaders Attempting to Preempt Community Calls for Justice
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/07/06/18652774.php
City of Oakland Press Release: Join a Speak-Out or Make Music to Express Yourself If a "Not Guilty" Verdict Comes Down
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/06/30/18652326.php
Press Conference Regarding Day of Verdict Gathering at 14th & Broadway, 7/1/10: video
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/07/01/18652466.php
The Oakland police department likewise did their part to counter the community gathering by visiting Oakland schools to discourage youth from attending the grassroots speak-out. When police asked if students intended to go, they say "no," but as soon as the OPD left the room, the students said they couldn't wait to go to 14th & broadway after the verdict.
Besides confronting the counter-organizing effort at the press conference, five demands were issued: Tony Pirone must be tried for accessory to murder, abolish the California Police Bill of Rights, a federal indictment must be issued against BART for civil rights violations, BART police must be disarmed, and the new gang injunctions in Oakland must be declared unconstitutional.
Speakers at the General Assembly for Justice press conference included Jabari Shaw, president of Laney College BSU, Michael Walker, both of whom attended Meherle's trial in Los Angeles (with their friend Tim Killings, who was arrested and spent three days in jail for speaking out in the LA court room during Meherle's testimony), and Tracey Bell-Borden.
Press Release: Civic Leaders Attempting to Preempt Community Calls for Justice
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/07/06/18652774.php
City of Oakland Press Release: Join a Speak-Out or Make Music to Express Yourself If a "Not Guilty" Verdict Comes Down
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/06/30/18652326.php
Press Conference Regarding Day of Verdict Gathering at 14th & Broadway, 7/1/10: video
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/07/01/18652466.php
For more information:
http://indybay.org/oscargrant
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