Redwood Curtain CopWatch, based in the north coast of California, is part of a larger movement of self organized CopWatch groups throughout the US. Our local efforts seek to intervene in the drastic rise of the presence, militarization, and violence of the police, and build support networks based on self-determination, caring, and concrete needs.
Mehserle
Lessons from the Oscar Grant Tragedy – We Need to Get to Work, by Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi / Feb 2010
In many instances, the second pre-trial hearing for Johannes Mehserle could be seen as a victorious day for the family and supporters of Oscar Grant, who was fatally shot by Mehserle as he lay unarmed on a platform in Oakland on New Year’s Day 2009.
After weeks of nervous speculation, presiding Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert Perry rejected motions put forth by Mehserle’s legal team to reduce his bail amount and remove the Alameda County district attorney from the case.
While Perry acknowledged that prosecutors employed some questionable and perhaps unconstitutional tactics during their investigation, those acts failed to substantiate the extreme requests of defense attorney Michael Rains.
Victory also extended to outside of the courtroom as scores of activists and supporters braved the early morning chill to hold signs, recite chants, and talk to onlookers — all in the name of making the often-apathetic L.A. populace aware of one of the most significant court cases in state history.
"Why I pulled out my camera to record Oscar Grant's killing"
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 3:18pmWitness to a Shooting, Karina Vargas
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0a328d6a244268cf99a62d5a44668da1
YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia , News feature, VIDEO, AUDIO, Words by Karina Vargas, as told to Josue Rojas, Posted: Feb 20, 2009
Oscar Grant's Daughter Gets $1.5 million Lawsuit Settlement
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 2:28pm
Tatiana Grant, 5 years old, daughter of Sophina Mesa and Oscar Grant.
There has been a civil lawsuit SETTLEMENT for Tatiana Grant, Oscar's 5 year old daughter. Oscar's Mother still has a lawsuit against the Oakland BART cops, as do the 5 young men, close friends, who were with Oscar when he was murdered. The young men recieved abuse themselves and witnessed the cops execute their friend who was laying on his stomach in handcuffs.
Rally and UPDATE: Cop On Trial for Murdering Oscar Grant in Oakland New Years Day; Prosecutor Not Tryin' Too Hard
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 06/18/2009 - 2:39pm
RALLY on Thursday (June 18, 09) at the arraignment of Johannes Mehserle!
Mehserle's attorney is trying to get a change of venue to move the trial out of Alameda County. We must continue fighting to win justice!
OSCAR GRANT, father of a baby girl
