Playing Chess In the Dark: BART Police and the NYE Killing Fields

Don't make any hasty judgments. So says BART Police Chief Gary Gee. Bay Area Rapid Transit is our (crappy, inconvenient and overpriced) version of the NYC subway that serves San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. If you live in the city of San Francisco you will most likely use MUNI - which is slightly less crappy but just as inefficient.

22 year-old Oscar Grant was shot and killed by a glorified rent-a-cop. The end. 

When a police officer 'discharges' their gun directly at a handcuffed person who's down on the ground on their belly and surrounded by other officers it's not a clean shoot. This wasn't the scene of a crime spree or gang activity. This was a group of people going home in the early hours of New Year's Day. I saw plenty of drunk and unruly people on the streets of San Francisco yet they somehow made it home unharmed.

Attorney John L. Burris (not sure if he's related to Roland Burris) is grandstanding a bit for sure with a $25M lawsuit against the BART police but....yet again when they shoot "Black" and ask questions later there needs to be a statement made. He is NO SLOUCH and a highly-esteemed Civil Rights attorney: think the Johnnie Cochran of Northern CA.

I wasn't going to write about this initially because the news reports on this indicated a "group of men arguing who wouldn't stop despite the arrival of the police". Uh huh, that's code word for the 'Negroes were getting restless - danger alert'. I know how News Directors operate: they slant stories to give a certain perception, cover some stories while ignoring others. 

I was already thinking that Black people KNOW unless you look like Carlton Banks (and perhaps not even then) you had better be quiet and keep your hands visible around police if you are in a group larger than ONE because the po-po are always trigger happy around brown-skinned people even when they are brown-skinned themselves. 

Then one little blurb caught my attention "the police claimed they had no video to review because the cameras weren't recording" at that specific station on that specific night. Then I KNEW something went down that was fishy. This was on a route that has a higher Black population than other BART stops. Also, shootings on train station platforms are NOT common occurrences in the Bay Area.

Now some video footage has in fact emerged from other train passengers who witnessed the "police" on their rampage. The local news showed edited video but I'm enclosing what was submitted to Youtube - all 10 minutes. The fact that a police officer tried to take the camera from passenger Karina Vargas (who filmed this) and other people in the crowd certainly doesn't imply innocence from wrong-doing or how shooting an unarmed man was an accident either. We can all guess how this is going to turn out. No prosecution and an undisclosed settlement with a gag order in perpetuity. Too bad it won't bring back the life of an innocent person and father of a small child. 

In case you'd like to demand some accountability though here's the contact information for Board Member Carole Ward Allen who covers the Fruitvale area where this "accident" took place.  She is actually a very accomplished woman looking at her bio and I'm certain will do something to address this travesty. 

BART Board of Directors

P.O. Box 12688

Oakland, CA 94604-2688

(510) 464-6095

BoardofDirectors@bart.gov 

Their next meeting is January 8th at 9 a.m. The BART Board Room is located in the Kaiser Center 20th Street Mall, Third Floor, 344 20th St., Oakland, CA. 

Contact Info for Police Chief Gee as well as Internal Affairs.

Chief of Police:

Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov

Internal Affairs:

Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029, dchlebo@bart.gov 

This isn't solely about the person harmed because if he's had so much as a parking ticket, the police will be certain to leak it to the media to discredit the family's case against them. This is about misconduct and potential criminal behavior of officers. I think it would be best to contact the family's attorney to inquire what assistance if any is needed and proceed from there.

Logo used from BART site

Update: 4 Suspects Have Been Arrested In Rape Case

Well this would have to be one of the quickest solved rape cases. All four suspects in the gang assault of a lesbian resident of the SF Bay area from December 13th have been taken into custody. One of the suspects turned himself in - and get this - he has a girlfriend. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that. It was the publicity surrounding this incident that worked in the survivor's favor this time. Of course the case has to go through its judicial process but I can't help but think how race and class always play a part in these situations. I will be satisfied for justice being served but it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth all the other women who aren't afforded the positive press and a cooperative police department or have perpetrators who are wealthy and can obfuscate their way out of prosecution. There should not be a special element that makes the prosecution of a rape more amenable to others to judge as heinous: be that person a sex worker, a child, poor, trans, a woman of color - or even a male. 

Woman Run Over By Two Drivers Dies

Accidents happen, but two hit and runs in a row is insane! This is why everyone with a driver's license should be required to re-take the written test and the road test every two years. People are talking on phones, sending text messages, eating, putting on makeup and doing everything but driving and being fully focused on the road. (I know the handsfree laws are in effect - but where was the common sense in allowing it in the first place?)

Not to mention how many people are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Or driving cars that they cannot maneuver well - I'm talking about women in big cars, trucks and SUVs. It's a particular pet peeve of mine for these drivers in CA.  I can't forget to add driving too fast.

Cyclist Laura Casey died Saturday in Richmond after being hit by two cars where both drivers stopped and took off. Neither of them had bothered to get out of their cars to check to see if there was a person injured. Residents were trying to assist Ms. Casey after the first car departed when the second one hit before they could reach her. Her sister made an appeal on television for the drivers to come forward and said she was certain it must have been an accident. Ha! Well the first driver - who it seems knocked Ms. Casey off her bike turned herself in to the police earlier this evening. The second driver - who actually ran over Ms. Casey is still hiding out. 

As someone who has almost been hit numerous times by drivers who try to bypass buses to go over crosswalks when the pedestrian has the right of way, or speed through the yellow light when you're supposed to yield or drivers who refuse to come to a complete stop at the curb it is hard for me to have a whole lot of sympathy for them. 

I was about 5 inches from being hit by a guy who tried to do an illegal turn into an alley on my way to a concert last month. He literally came out of nowhere and I had no time to react. If he hadn't hit the brakes I might not be here right now writing this. Yes I cussed him out, too! 

San Francisco has a particularly high pedestrian injury record with reckless drivers. I know people make mistakes...but I see far too many irresponsible drivers who should be charged with a fine the equivalent of a moving violation in order to get them to be more careful in the future!

I know the young woman who turned herself in will have to live with wondering if she had checked more thoroughly whether Ms. Casey would still be alive. I hope this motivates law enforcement and communities to take a more proactive stance in monitoring multi-lane roads better.

photo credit

When Isn't Rape & Violence About Hate?

Update: the 4 suspects have been apprehended!

I had to sit on this story for a while because I found it doubly even triply upsetting. Also it hit so close to home because it occurred just over the bridge in the city of Richmond, CA. This is an area known to be 'troubled'. Lots of crime, drugs, failing schools and people trying to hang on and avoid the maniacs that terrorize decent people. 

A woman was gang-raped by four men near her apartment building and there's a strong possibility they were motivated by her sexual orientation being that she is a lesbian. I am not defending the actions of the perpetrators but my immediate thought was that the story got traction because of the ongoing conflicts over the failure of the No on 8 campaign and the unresolved racial animus.

I cringed to find out Black and Latino men were involved and I hope they are caught and jailed. They'll be certain to find out exactly what it feels like to be violated - repeatedly - once they are. I also wondered if as usual, there was an underlying racial angle to this and whether the survivor was a white woman. Why should it matter? White women have plenty of people at the ready to protect them. That's one benefit of living under white supremacy. Have we not seen Nancy Grace talking about the "tot mom" every day for the past three weeks? 

I still feel uneasy about the Duke Lacrosse team alleged rape of the Black female student who was hired to be an exotic dancer for their party. They may have been found 'innocent' but that doesn't make it so. There are plenty of Black men on death row who've been exonerated for crimes they didn't commit - far too many posthumously. Black women rarely have the protection of society or their communities and since I have to make a choice about how I spend my time and energy that is what I want to focus on. We have to help each other or we will perish.

It's so much harder for Black women to have their rapes taken seriously. The ones that acknowledge their violations are often not believed: by the authorities or by the women in their communities. Others refuse to accept their sexual activity was a rape because it happens under nefarious or murky circumstances and they're often guilted into blaming themselves. Youth, poor judgement, emotional manipulation, intoxication or low self-esteem do not mix. R Kelly. Genarlow Wilson. Karl Malone. Thomas Jefferson. Your father/uncle/mother's boyfriend. The guy down the street. The list goes on. 

Are we to believe the sole motivation for those perps was seeing a rainbow flag on the woman's bumper sticker? Or were they out looking to do harm to any woman period? We may never know. Every woman that remains in a troubled neighborhood is putting her life in jeopardy. In a just world every woman would be afforded the same media coverage, police investigation, community action and BELIEF and help! 

When Duanna Johnson was beat with a baton and called the N word by her arresting officers was it because she was being charged with a crime, was it because they didn't like Black people or was it because she was trans? 

Had the woman not been a lesbian would we have even heard of this crime? Is that a sign of progress in a society that a few years ago would've said nothing was wrong with trying to 'teach' a lesbian a lesson? Had the perps been white men would people be so outraged? With statistics claiming 1 out of 4 women as being a victim of sexual assault there is far too much silence. I hope this will be the beginning of a focus on aiding those that need it and prosecuting those that deserve it.  Every female assault victim should have the appropriate courtesy.      

There is a Facebook Page with information about a fundraiser being held on her behalf. Understandably she does not want to return to an area where rapists are running free. If you feel like you want to store up some karma this might be a good place to start.    

If you would like to send a card, please mail it to:

Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804

If you can send a financial contribution (even a few dollars) to help her pay her medical bills, moving fees, and other costs associated with her recovery, please mail a check payable to Community Violence Solutions to:

Community Violence Solutions
2101 Van Ness Ave.,
San Pablo, CA 94806
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas

In the memo section of the check please write: Richmond Jane Doe

For credit card donations, please go to:

http://www.cvsolutions.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=89

IMPORTANT: You must indicate that you want to the credit card donation to go to Richmond Jane Doe.

Please start sending your cards and donations as soon as possible. This woman needs to know that she's not alone in this. 

A California Carol for Our Gov

T'was the day before Xmas and all through the state, disgruntled citizens are sharpening their stakes. Is that Morgan Freeman I hear or a really good impersonator? Yup, it's him. I am so relieved to know I'm not *crazy* about my outrage over the Governator's failure to lead. He tried blatant right-wing tactics when he prepared to attack nurses, fire fighters and teachers but that was quickly slapped down. He's let the budget balloon from $7B to $15B while ignoring the pending calendar year that adds on another $28B the State does not have. Now the State will run out of money in February 2009. He's claiming that he'll pass a budget without fellow Republicans to save Kah-li-fawn-ya. I'll believe it when it happens. 

The Courage Campaign put out this satirical piece (note to all the racist regurgitaters who tried to be 'cute' with the Obamas - this is how it's done) and is asking for our signatures. The end.

Our Crappy Rethug Governor Just Vetoed the Latest Budget Proposed By Democrats

Thanks for trying Assembly Speaker Bass! You're surrounded by a bunch of obstinate tools. In what can only be thought of as short-sighted and partisan, Ah-nold shot down the Democratic plan to balance a large portion of the $40B + total operating debt for the state. Lovely. New York has a similar amount of debt but their Governor is going to add a few cents to things people like, but don't necessarily need: music downloads, soda, candy and such. The Republicans want to cut an additional $10B from education (because it's for a bunch of illegals and poor folk). Let the little people eat cake, but they won't be able to s-p-e-l-l it. You know they don't send their children to public school. 

Ah-nold has been sticking it to what's left of the working class ever since the Rethugs tricked people with that recall election. It's not possible for me to be silent when it comes to the huge disaster the faded movie star has been as Governor. Thanks a lot, you downstate voters! I'm not going to repeat my thoughts on that. You can see my previous posts in the archives. My head hurts because nearly six hundred thousand people applied for unemployment this month and these power plays don't do anyone any good! They've been squabbling over this for months and not putting the voters first. California is not going back to being a Red State no matter how hard the Republicans try to screw with the infrastructure. 

No Gov't Care & Feeding Of Its Citizens

It's a Capitol Meltdown Coast to Coast! 

You know I'm getting sick of all this media attention on the juvenile antics of the Serbian Governator. He's corrupt! Get over it and get rid of him already. You know he's not going to voluntarily step down when that's his main base of power - and cover. He might be arrogant and a little gangsta but he ain't that stupid! President-Elect Obama stayed far away - as did apparently most of the elected officials in IL who wanted to dodge mud and poo. Nice try corporate media and thanks for continuing to sleep on Bush's final F-U to the American people like allowing concealed weapons in national parks or rolling back environmental protections. Of course let's not forget about his threat of martial law and subsequent parting gift: $900B and counting to the "Wall Street Elite/Crooked Class of 2008" with no questions asked. Now can we PLEASE move on!

The $14B bailout requested by the titans of the auto industry failed to pass the Senate 52-35 thanks to the Republicans! They want to whittle away pensions, health benefits and paid leave so the UAW members earn similar (MUCH LESS) benefits than the foreign-based auto employees. The UAW has drawn its line in the sand. They may end up on the unemployment line though. Apparently this is the new (but old depending on who's history you recall) American way! Bust all unions until there's nothing left so a few people can become even richer off the backs of workers. Of course they had no problem building wealth with forced enslavement and breeding before so I guess this is just a  minor screw-over. Gee thanks!

*Might I add these politicians have not given up THEIR health benefits or paid time off.

Rounding this Oh-So-Fun-To-Watch-A-Politician-Not-Give-A-Damn-Day, we tour the lovely halls of (in)justice in Sacramento, where the CA state budget deficit has nearly doubled to just shy of $14B. Ah-nold reminds us every day this is what happens when you hire an action star to pretend to be a politician away from the movie set when you can't say, "Cut!" No budget has been passed - and surprise surprise - it's the Republicans mucking it up here as well. In case anyone thinks I'm being unfair and biased against the Rethugs I'd like to remind you they held a special election that cost $30M+ to oust Grey Davis when he was trying to get back the millions that Bush proxy company Enron had stolen from electric customers and caused fake rolling blackouts. When your bill jumps from $60 to $500 from one month to the next with no change in usage you are being robbed! I'm trying to spruce up my employment skill set but still can't register for Spring Semester because my school has suspended enrollment. 

New Rule: 

NO POLITICIAN SHOULD GET PAID OR BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR A VACATION WHEN THEY ARE HOLDING UP LEGISLATION THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS US.

I mean it only seems fair that they should suffer a little inconvenience when millions are in REAL AGONY! Can somebody explain to me why we're living the title of a Chinua Achebe novel? I know there's a lesson that needs to be learned but this is very disconcerting. What do you think? 

Update 12/19: So Bush has decided to throw the US Automakers a bone. It comes with lots of strings attached and demands the reduction of pay and benefits of the UAW to those of the foreign automakers. Now how are they supposed to do that? Cut off the pensions of the retirees? Cut out their health insurance? This is how the gov't busts a union while claiming to help. It seems this was the plan all along.

Will Day W/O A Gay Be a Boom or a Bust?

Today is the official "Gay" Strike civic protest for those fighting the passage of Prop 8. Day Without A Gay is the call for action for LGBTs and activists to call in "gay" instead of sick ostensibly to impact the workplace and show how vital a certain population is. The question is, will people use their stored time off or go without pay to do so under such uncertain economic times? 

December 10th is also International Human Rights Day so anyone can participate by volunteering as well. I still think this effort misses the mark and avoids getting to the crux of a problem that is multi-layered. Here in San Francisco businesses in the Castro District are not closing though individuals are free to participate as they wish.

Do We Create or Regurgitate News As Bloggers?

This ongoing investigation regarding the racist attacks against Dr. Yolanda Pierce at Princeton Seminary begs the question how blogs - especially those hosted by female bloggers with empowerment themes - have evaluated their processes for generating posts and in discussing this. What do we consider newsworthy? Who do we use as sources for stories? Why do some bloggers base their posts on things they read in the newspaper or watch on the television almost exclusively? Why are those sources considered "credible" when we know the information we get is tainted and controlled by conglomerates with an agenda? What others sources are we reviewing for inclusion as a story idea generator? Do we even need to do so as "non-professionals" and push any limitations? After all, I heard a failed Vice Presidential candidate say that bloggers are 'liars' who live in their mother's basement.

Prosecutors have tried murder cases on circumstantial evidence or even without a body when they believe a crime has been committed. In a local case Hans Reiser eventually took a plea deal after such a conviction in exchange for revealing the location of his mudered wife's remains. He had claimed his innocence the entire investigation and trial. People don't demand "proof" from children who tell an adult they've been sexually abused. They are questioned of course, but the general consensus is that they are credible witnesses to their own abuse and telling the truth. Why should someone who claims a racial attack against a Black woman has occurred have to jump through hoops to establish their claim beyond a shadow of a doubt to those that would deny them no matter what? Why does someone need conditions met when a distinguished witness first brought it to the blogosphere's attention before believing such a claim and/or taking action? Are we less likely to take someone's word if they are non-white and female? 

Some of those in the blogosphere consider themselves activists against social injustices, while others want to strictly report on celebrity happenings. Blog posts can be very personal.  Others talk politics and choose to focus on local or national issues. Still more just want a catalog of their personal journeys through life or swap recipes and baby pictures. Each blog has its own voice, can capture a particular audience and encourages active participation from a variety of readers. They can also face the scorn of those that oppose their voice and will argue with them ad nauseum. 

It can certainly be productive to hear many sides to an issue but the boundaries have to be drawn somewhere. People tend to forget these are public forums and can lose all methods of decorum when they post anonymously or with a nickname. A fly in the soup can derail a conversation quickly if the blog administrator doesn't control who they allow in their space or set the rules for engagement.

I find many so-called progressive blogs (kos, Open Left, etc) just as caustic an environment as the staunchest of right-wing sites because I feel the same level of intolerance, sense of entitlement and exclusionary attitudes from those that claim to be on opposite sides of the political spectrum and stick to their viewpoint. The readers easily fall into group-think and try to police out dissent - even if it's coming from those who offer constructive criticism.

Running a blog requires that you put a bit of yourself out for public consumption - that is if you are to have any impact or level of authenticity. The purpose and intent behind starting a blog of course has as many reasons as there are people running them. Not everyone who blogs is a so-called journalist and those with prior media careers have steadily switched to blogging in addition to their traditional work. There are many excellent writers who've used this form of technology to bypass the gatekeeper walls of exclusion. Corporate media has seen a 15% decrease in non-white journalists just this year alone when they were already underrepresented to begin with.

The only caveat with blogging is that anyone can start a blog. That is the great equalizer but there are certain skills those trained in journalism/writing use to investigate stories and produce content. They're also paid to do it. For most of us blogging is a side gig and labor of love. As Web 2.0 continues to offer new technology and people gain access to and comfort with the internet we need to look at ways of combining our collective voices into sustainable ways and increase our audience - and influence over the narrative. 

We need to start looking outside the 'mainstream' white middle class Americuh for Americans corporate media where George Bush is just misunderstood and the United States never does anything wrong. Depending on the impact of media coverage that day I can go to several blogs for their perspective on the same news story. Now that perspective may certainly be vital and interesting but it isn't exclusive - especially if you're like me and you read several blogs more than once per day. Telling lesser known stories certainly has value and can positively shed light on issues ignored by corporate media. We just need to decide if we - as bloggers and readers of blogs - will continue to wait for others to deem them worthy before we do.

What Kind of Idiots Are Running Child Protective Services?

Alternate title: How a Girl Scout mom with a Myspace page is a child abuser in disguise. How can CPS lose track of a now 17-year old who's already been removed from his original home only to wind up being held prisoner and tortured in the home of complete strangers? Don't they share information between cities? Three people have been arrested (one is supposed to be a distant relative) and are being questioned. If the teen had not escaped and gotten help from people at a local gym he would've still been in danger. The added tragedy is that he'll be kicked out of the system soon and could wind up in even worse shape.  

Excerpted from the Examiner:

"He said, 'Don't let them get me, don't let them get me,'" Ellis said. "He was totally terrified."

The boy said he had been held captive for nearly a year, said Ellis, adding that he looked as if he were only 10 to 12 years old.

Police arrested Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, late Monday after questioning the couple. A subsequent search of their nearby home found further evidence implicating them, Tracy police spokesman Matt Robinson said.

They were booked on charges of torture, kidnapping and child abuse, and were set to appear in court Thursday, according to online jail records. The couple were being held at San Joaquin County jail on bail of nearly $1.2 million each; county prosecutors did not know if the couple had hired attorneys.

Lau and Schumacher's four young children, two of whom were home when police arrived, have been placed with Child Protective Services, authorities said. 

(Seeing how well they've done so far this ought to be interesting)

Lau started serving as a local Girl Scout leader sometime in September, after a background check turned up nothing to cause concern, said Pam Saltenberger, chief executive of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California.

According to neighbors, the couple seemed to lead lives that revolved around their kids.

"The victim says he was held against his will," Robinson said. "When you have a 17-year-old boy showing up with a bloody ankle from having a chain wrapped around it, it's one of those things for officers to put one and one together."

On her MySpace Web page, Lau describes herself as a stay-at-home mom and says her husband worked as a contractor. She posted many photos of her family, friends and pets.