Subject: Stand Up and Fight Back: Oakland Resists Police Impunity
Fellow SAN comrades,
Many of you have seen the tragic video footage of what happened to Oscar Grant, a young father, worker, who was executed by BART police in the Fruitvale District of Oakland, California. If you haven't, I will include a link at the bottom. (And I, Mai, am embedding it here.)
It is of the utmost importance for us, as fellow people of color to stand in solidarity with the African-American community at every opportunity. As Prashad discusses in "Karma of Brown Folk", the American Government's (racist) goal is to find groups of people to continue to divide non-white communities; and have used us for far too long. We have been that group, serving as propaganda about "model minorities' who "prove" racist claims against African-Americans.
Right now, as I write this, the city of Oakland is in revolt. People are tired of the regular murder of young black men, and the promises of justice that are never fulfilled.
Some of you may be wary of the 'violence' that is occurring in downtown (broken windows), and respond more than you do when Oscar was killed. Broken windows are not violence, killing a young man in cold blood is violence; and it occurs regularly here i the Bay Area and all over the country.
I hope you will join me in the streets of Oakland to struggle and alongside folks of many colors, genders, and beliefs to demand that we hold people accountable for what happens within our community. Stand up, as our ancestors did, for justice.
Remember our legacies as people of color, from the Ghadar Party to the Black Panther Party.
In love, and endless solidarity,
Harjit Singh Gill
Oakland, CA
harjitgill@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/01/05/18558793.php
*For more information or organized resistance and action in the Bay Area, please contact Comrade and SAN Activist, Harjit Singh Gill*
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Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
