Admittedly, I was so reluctant to watch this video. Though I had been following the incident for the past week an a half on blogs, twitter and facebook, I couldn’t bring myself to actually click the link and watch the video until this morning. As suspected, I was shocked, hurt, angered and deeply saddened. As I watched the young men forced to sit on the floor, hearing the reactions from the crowd – what hurt was that this scene was unfamiliar to me, and sadly, unfamiliar to so many babies, brothers, grandmothers. And as Oscar Grant plead with the officer, my blood started to boil. Forced to the ground chest down I held my hand to my heart. And when the officer brutally shot him – in the back – with his hands held behind his back – helpless, pleading – I cried. I wept. I cry as I write this.
Even the train conductor was in fear, as the train doors closed shortly after the gun was fired as to protect the passengers.
This is terrorism.
And here’s a list of things you and I can do from wherever we are to force justice, compiled by my friend Jennifer Bryant.
1. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents’ review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov
2. Call the BART police to complain about the officers’ conduct and demand immediate action: Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov; Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov
Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.
3. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)
4. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it.
5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.
