Mehserle rally in Walnut Creek causes media frenzy, leads to counter-demonstration

Pro-Mehserle and law enforcement officers face off against Grant supporters and anti-police brutality demonstrators in Walnut Creek on July 19.A rally staged in support of former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle in Walnut Creek Monday afternoon drew hundreds of protesters, dozens of journalists and photographers and plenty of police. But instead of the 100 Mehserle supporters,...

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What if the Tea Party was Black? by Jasiri X - Music Monday

A few months ago, author and anti-racist activist Tim Wise wrote an article, "Imagine if the Tea Party was black?"Pittsburgh PA activist and rapper Jasiri X took the concept and delivers in a way only Hip Hop can. Back again delivering the next, This Week with Jasiri X asks, "What if the Tea Party was Black?"Check out Jasiri X's RealTalkXpress.c...

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Oakland, BART Police shoot and kill man

Blood stains from spot where man was shot and killed by Oakland and BART police officers on Saturday morning, July 16.A man -- identified by OPD as 48 year old Oakland resident Fred Collins, was shot and killed Saturday morning by at least five Oakland and BART police officers. The shooting occurred at about 8:15 a.m. after Oakland Police dispatchers received a call that a...

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Oakland to host two Black Expo events the same weekend

By Reginald JamesAlthough the Willie Lynch letter is historically a work of fiction, it appears that his ghost has risen from the pages of fiction and continues to be a reality among Black folks in the Bay Area. This weekend – after a two-year hiatus, the Black Expo returns to Oakland. In fact, there will be two Black Expo’s in Oakland this weekend. In two different locations.The Black Expo has been taking place in Oakland since 1991. The great Dr. C. Diane Howell coordinated the local expo in Oakland until the national organizers took Oakland...

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Mehserle takes the stand

By Thandisizwe ChimurengaSpecial to TheBlackHour.comDay 10 of the People vs. Mehserle trial ended June 24 with defendant Johannes Mehserle taking the stand.Mehserle, a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer, is accused of murder in the death of Oscar Grant, who was shot in the back while prone at an Oakland rail station on New Year’s Day 2009.Defense attorney...

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Former BART police officers testify in Johannes Mehserle murder trial

By Thandisizwe ChimurengaSpecial to TheBlackHour.comTestimony in the trial of former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer Johannes Mehserle concluded Friday with the appearances of former officers Marysol Domenici and Anthony Pirone.Both officers were fired by BART last spring based on recommendations from a private firm that investigated the shooting.Domenici changed her testimony...

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Oakland officials attempted to preempt protests on day of Mehserle verdict

By Dave IdSpecial to TheBlackHour.comThe Oakland General Assembly for Justice for Oscar Grant held a second press conference in less than a week after it was learned that Councilmember Desley Brooks was heading up organizing a counter-event at the same time and place as the community gathering set for the day the verdict in the Mehserle murder trial was announced, 6 p.m. at...

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Activists defend the right to organize in response of Johannes Mehserle verdict

By Dave IdSpecial to TheBlackHour.comPictured above: Tony Coleman, longtime community activist, of OneFam and New Year's Movement for Justice, describes the reason for choosing the location at 14th and Broadway because it represents Oakland's Town Square and says that the real "outside agitators" are Oakland police, 90 per cent of whom do not live in the city.The Oakland General...

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