Stop Police Brutality!

Sponsored by Mothers Cry for Justice, a group of family members, friends, and concerned community members seeking justice for James Rivera, Jr., and all victims of police abuse and violence. WE ARE ALL OSCAR GRANT!

Rather than reading background from organizers, the following is the statement from James' family on June 12th in Oakland, at rally protesting the release of Johannes Mehserle:

First of all, our hearts and prayers go out to the Oscar Grant family and friends, and all other families affected by this tragedy and other tragedies that have changed our lives forever, [whether] it be directly in or lives or outside of our lives. We are here to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are the voices that need to be heard and must be heard.

My name is Carey Downs, Jr. I am the stepfather of Mr. James Earl Rivera Jr., who was shot and killed by officers Gregory Dunn of the Stockton Police Dept., officer Eriz Azavard of the SPD, and officer John Nesbit of the SJ Sheriff’s Dept. Our son, our brother, our friend was killed a day before his 17th birthday, a day that has changed our lives forever. Our son was robbed of the right to live – in a shooting that has gone unquestioned for nearly one year now.

His life was cut short because these three officers made a deadly wrongful decision to shoot an kill an unarmed child: Our Son, James Rivera, Jr. I see that theses three officers do not understand the meaning of “Protect and Serve,” because if they did, our son would still be alive today. In our hearts he will forever remain!

Once again, together we stand. Divided we fall.

Thank You