tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959106968295083131.post5667045386815036247..comments2012-05-24T02:52:21.678-07:00Comments on CAPE - Coalition Against Police Executions: What We Want and What We BelieveCAPE - Coalition Against Police Executionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582211250563691728noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959106968295083131.post-15152660140894203252011-10-04T11:03:45.726-07:002011-10-04T11:03:45.726-07:00It's not enough to protests in front of Bart s...It's not enough to protests in front of Bart stations, or against the police. Efforts have to be directed at the people the police work for, the Bart Board of Directors, and other elected officials. Theses people can hold police responsible at any time, they can fire them and they can prosecute them. Therefore, I'm suggesting that future protest to directed at them, and that partitions be circulated, calling for their recall, and or replacement, public attention must be directed at them. Additionally, the trial was a farce, to find involuntary manslaughter, and accept that he mistakenly pulled his firearm, they had to accept somehow, that the officer's actions were reasonable in going for his taser. Police are by law required to employ only the necessary force to subdue suspects period. At the point that officer Mehserle approached and decided to draw his taser, there was no force required, reasonable, necessary or otherwise, on his part, because the Mr. Grant was already subdued by police, in hand cuffs and lying face down with several other police officer's in control, theoretically one step from being taken away, Mehserle wasn't needed, the only force required of him, at that point, would have been to stand there and observe. The final travesty was the change of venue granted by the presiding Judge, obviously someone also more concerned about protecting police than ensuring justice and preserving Democracy. This change of venue was never about ensuring a fair trail for officer Mehserle, rather, such was more-so about trying to stack the deck in his favor, why else would Simi Valley California, the venue of the first Rodney King trial, where video recorded brutal police officers were acquitted? The answer is simple, the community is home to many police officers, and has a reputation for being police friendly, as well as, having very little minority representation, thus in their minds, the only place Mehserle could get a fair trail, is somewhere no minorities reside, particularly, African American. In my opinion, officer Mehserle should have bee convicted of Second Degree Murder, which requires gross negligence and/or recklessness, which he clearly was. If this issue is further explored, as to the backgrounds and political sensitivities of the decision makers, maybe you will discover things or previous associations that caused these decision makers to be particularly prone to protecting police.Jimmijethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553118170745805739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959106968295083131.post-68374056304134882202009-01-15T23:30:00.000-08:002009-01-15T23:30:00.000-08:00Another item to consider is protecting our right t...Another item to consider is protecting our right to record officers while they are on duty. Can you imagine legislation sponsored by an organization such as the police's union that made taking a recording an offense, perhaps obstructing justice or some other hogwash? I think I'll write to Representative Lee.Robert van de Wallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09328795346288976510noreply@blogger.com