Oscar Grant was shot and killed on January 1, 2009, by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Oscar’s case made history when bystanders took out their cell phones and recorded his murder, posting the videos online. In response to angry rebellion in the streets, Mehserle was charged with murder. He was ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served less than one year in jail.

Ten years later, on the first day of 2019, Oscar Grant’s mother Wanda Johnson, together with friends and supporters, hosted a vigil at Fruitvale BART station just below the platform where her son died. Wanda announced that a new mural honoring Oscar will be unveiled on April 23 at the same location. The family is also pushing for the station to be renamed in Oscar's honor, as well as a small nearby street.

Over 200 people gathered at the vigil in East Oakland to commemorate Oscar and condemn his murder by police. Speakers expressed gratitude for those who came out to show respect, including his daughter Tatiana Grant, who was only 4 years old at the time of his killing. Speakers proclaimed, “We are all Oscar Grant.” They recalled both his death and the movement against police murders that developed in its aftermath.

10th Annual Oscar Grant Vigil: photos and full audio | On Tenth Anniversary of Death, Oakland Remembers Oscar Grant | Photos from Vigil for Oscar Grant | On First Day of New Year, Oscar Grant Honored at Fruitvale BART Station | 10th Annual Oscar Grant Vigil: Gone But Not Forgotten | 10th Annual Anniversary Gala for Oscar Grant (March 23)

Related Features: A Celebration of the Justice for Oscar Grant Protesters | Justice for Oscar Grant Archive at Indybay.org