Community Call for Support for Veteran Activist,Dhanifu Karim-Bey

Dhanifu Karim Bey is a legendary community leader, organizer, and teacher. He has been a key asset to re-building the Los Angeles Community after the strategic assassinations of many of our most powerful role models in our nation. After over 45 years of organizing and service, he is now faced with bogus charges, and harassment from the Los Angeles Police Department.

History

He helped organize with the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and has been a teacher within the Los Angeles Unified School district for decades. He is a devoted volunteer, who has helped re-instill traditions of accountability, education, health & exercise, and strength to thousands of young men and women.

Throughout all these years Dhanifu has remained an important pillar to the community and for those who listen to his guidance and voice. He speaks passionately against fratricide in our inner cities, and raises higher moral qualities in young people. He has organized food and clothing drives, free historical, political and cultural education classes, and other charity work with other needy families over the last decade. Other community groups continue to follow his example.


The Case
In a clear case of racial profiling, Dhanifu was subjected to an unconstitutional traffic stop, unlawful detention and unconstitutional search and seizure of his vehicle. In this search, an unloaded gun was found in a backpack inside the vehicle he was driving. His lawyer Kwaku Duren is filing a motion to suppress all evidence based on the unlawful stop and search. This case has taken a more sinister turn because the prosecutor is now illegally charging him with the three strikes law for convictions he had over thirty years ago.
How the Community Can Support
People can support this case by donating funds for Dhanifu’s Legal Defense Fund, and/or by being present in the court room. Fees for this case can cost tens of thousands, an amount that is impossible on a teacher’s retirement salary. People also can help by spreading the truth about this case to the public. Often times community leaders are railroaded on bogus charges, and it’s up to the community to help establish a voice to help the very people he has helped build.
There will be a press conference with the community mobilizing and gathering for his August 5, 2011 court date at Norwalk District Court Dept J, 12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA., at 8 a.m. To schedule an interview, RSVP for press conference, obtain a report on the case, cover the story, or donate funds, please contact Ali at (323) 247-0290, and peoplemovement [at] aol.com .