Harambee

Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Harambee News [Click to enlarge]

Call it the shot heard 'round the world. And thanks to You Tube, it was a shot seen 'round the world.

On New Year's morning, Oscar Grant, III-a twenty-two year old father-was shot in the back and killed by then-Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Officer Johannes Mehserle. Grant was unarmed and lying on the BART station platform with his arms behind his back. The bullet went through his back, ricocheted off the concrete, and went through his lungs. Another officer was kneeling on Grant's neck and back at the time.

Initially, BART officials claimed that station cameras did could not record, until cell phone footage depicting the execution-style killing surfaced. BART Police Chief Gary Gee called the video "inconclusive."

One week later, after Grant's funeral was held, people-upset with public officials who took no action nor spoke out-took to the streets. And what began as a peaceful rally at the site of Grant's slaying, became a rebellion.

A few hours into the rally, a group of protestors decided to march to City Hall a few miles away. As they got towards Downtown Oakland, they were met by police. They soon turned towards BART headquarters. Scenes of people vandalizing a police car, lighting a dumpster on fire and breaking windows could be seen on the news nationwide. Media outlets called the resulting actions "riots" and grossly exaggerated damage to local business.

One hundred and twenty people were arrested that night, a group of people now called the "Oakland 100."

A week later, Mehserle-who never spoke to investigators and quit his job a week earlier-was arrested in Nevada, the first time a police officer was charged with the murder of a citizen. Many speculate that it was the uprising that caused the District Attorney to act.

After a delayed bail hearing in which Mehserle switched attorney's-to an attorney known for getting "The Riders" aquitted, an infamous group of crooked cops in West Oakland-he was granted $3 million bail.

Mehserle, who was in custody since January 13, made $3 million bond one week later.

Grant's family has filed a $25 civil suit against BART.

Protestors are calling for the other officers who were on the platform that night to be charged-especially Anthony Pirone, who was seen in a recently released video punching grant moments before kneeling on him while he was shot-as well as Chief Gee fired.

It was recently discovered that Gee had been secretly fundraising for Mehserle, although the officer was insubordinate during BART's investigation and he'd already quit the force. Others was BART police disarmed or disbanded.

Others have called for Alameda County District Attorney Thomas Orloff to resign.

The people have yet to let up and are still organizing for justice. All eyes are on Oakland.

For more other stories, photos or more info covering the growing Oscar Grant Movement, visit harambeenews.com. •H•

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