Today – Support NYC bill abolishing grand juries in police killing cases at press conference

This message from Lawrence Hamm of the People’s Organization for Progress. Sounds like an excellent event to support.

Friends,

Assemblyman Charles Barron is going to have a press conference tomorrow 11:30 am to announce that he is going to introduce a bill to abolish grand juries in cases that involve the killing of unarmed civilians by police in the State of New York. He has invited POP to participate. I am asking that as many members, friends and supporters of the People’s Organization For Progress as possible attend this press conference, stand with him, and show our support for this piece of progressive legislation. The press conference will take tomorrow, Monday August 17 2015, 11:30am at New York City Hall, near 250 Broadway in New York City, New York. Get there early because it takes time to get through the security at the gate of the park in which the City Hall is located. The press conference will start promptly at 12 noon. Assemblyman Barron is sponsoring this bill because too often grand juries fail to indict officers who have killed unarmed civilians when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing. Also, I am proposing that we call for the introduction of similar legislation here in New Jersey. As you know Assemblyman Barron was a strong supporter of the Million People’s March that was recently held in Newark, NJ and has been a supporter of POP over the years. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend so I need as many of you there as possible to represent the organization and show our support. Thank you. Power To The People!!! read more

On the Matter of Black Lives Panel @ ECC 2/2

Newark police brutality panel 150202A Movement or a Moment panel discussion on police brutality, racial profiling and the matter of black lives will be presented on Monday as part of the Fireside Chat Series at Essex County College.

Monday, February 2 2015 6-8pm
ECC Fireside Chat Series Panel:
A Movement or a Moment,
on the Matter of Black Lives

Siegler Hall, Essex County College
303 University Avenue, Newark, NJ
Cost: free

This free program is being offered in response to the high-profile deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, and the subsequent court rulings and responses. It will center on whether the matter of black lives is an event of the moment, or an ongoing and growing movement. read more

Film the police. Hold them accountable to society.

This YouTube video is so striking, it deserves a space all of its own. Some of its violence is brutal, shocking and from the filmers’ perspective, apparently pointless as well. The film’s title says it all: If You See Something, Film Something (Recording The Police is a Dangerous but Necessary Thing To Do). Make sure you watch carefully and observe what’s really happening, instead of what the police are suggesting that you see: in the very first scene, the police surrounding a man say something to him about putting his gun down, but he’s actually holding a snow scraper. And then they shoot him 8 times. read more