Youth Radio - Topic: BART shooting

Police Surround Protesters Friday Night in Oakland

denise — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:57:25 -0500

Youth Radio’s Haldun Morgan reports from the scene on 6th Avenue between 16th and 17th streets in Oakland Friday night as police surround about 150 people most of whom were protesting the 2 year minimum sentence for BART policeman Johannes Mehserle in the shooting of Oscar Grant.

*Audio is on the scene reporting Friday night with slideshow of day time protests.

Johannes Mehserle: Our Thoughts

lgomer — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:06:02 -0500

Aliyah Fahey: I think Johannes Mehserle should definitely do prison time. I honestly don’t believe he purposely killed Oscar Grant. I think he was nervous. I think he should definitely get time though because he took someone’s life... intentionally or not. He should have known the difference between a taser gun and a handgun. Even though it was an accident, his mistake affected a lot of people, like his family, friends and the community. Other officers should learn from Mehserle’s mistake and do more training or something that would prevent this from happening again.

Myles Bess: I feel that Johannes Mehserle deserves prison time because I feel murder is wrong in any form no matter what name you put on it. I do feel that race was a factor in the incident and that if Oscar Grant had been white there wouldn’t be this much commotion, meaning the protestors, the riots and the postponement of the trial. I think that Johannes may have actually pulled the gun out by accident but he should have known that it wasn’t his gun. If it feels and looks the same, the tasing company should take some of the blame for designing a taser that is similar in design to a .40 caliber gun. If Johannes Mehserle doesn’t get the maximum sentence then people will be frustrated no matter what because Oscar Grant is still dead.

Claire Gilbert: Johannes Mehserle should have been convicted of more than just involuntary manslaughter. I can understand that there was some confusion around what happened, but with all of the evidence I think some of that confusion should be cleared up. It’s obvious from the videos taken on the BART platform that the police officers were out of line. All the officers were beating on these men sitting quietly against a wall. Even if these men had been fighting on BART, they listened and followed the cops’ instructions without a fight. There was no reason for the violence the cops showed. Grant did not seem to be causing any trouble for the cops when two officers put him on his stomach and basically sat on top of him. The cops were abusing their power when they beat on all of the men and Johannes Mehserle committed murder when he shot Oscar Grant. Overall, I think police brutality is a big problem in the Bay Area and probably in the rest of the country or world. This horrible event should bring to light the police brutality that is going unnoticed and Johannes Mehserle should be sent to prison, not just for justice for Oscar Grant, but also as a message to the rest of the police force that this abuse of power will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

[VIDEO] Oakland Reacts to Mehserle Sentence; Protests Lead To Arrests

denise — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:34:14 -0500

OAKLAND: After the peaceful rally in Frank Ogawa Plaza, a march headed to the Fruitvale BART station and was interrupted on International Boulevard as police block off the streets. It got ugly as police and protesters began a game of cat and mouse in East Oakland, where police finally surround protesters on 6th Avenue and E 17th Street. Police corralled protestors and ultimately arrested 152 people.

Oakland Speaks

wilmer — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:58:56 -0500

Youth Radio is gathering reflections from people in downtown Oakland as the city awaits today's sentencing of former transit cop Johannes Mehserle in the shooting death of Oscar Grant. Below are the writings and impressions coming from the streets. These will be updated throughout the day, and some will appear in Youth Radio's Grant Station magazine.

Part Time Protestors

wilmer — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:56:22 -0500

The following originally aired on KCBS.

By Kavon Jones

Many people in the east bay took to the streets protesting Oscar Grant’s death, but when but when black on black crime happens in our own neighborhoods, what do we do about it?

I’m Kavon Jones with a commentary from Youth Radio.

Black people need to stop being part-time protestors, and start addressing the problems inside our own communities. There are thousands of Oscar Grants, except too often the killings are black on black violence, but it’s no different. Picking and choosing which murders to protest won’t heal Oakland or our neighborhoods.

Even worse, some people used Oscar Grant’s death as an excuse to run around downtown Oakland and be like "imma take this cuz they killed Oscar Grant,” which is absolutely the wrong way to get justice.

And justice is often not so hard to imagine. Too often we know the troublemakers in our community, but the stigma of snitching and the fear of death, keeps people from coming forward.

Oscar Grant became a symbol of police brutality. We need to recognize that every black on black murder is also a symbol for a community in crisis, and then have the courage to seek justice for our friends, family, and neighbors.

The Night The Verdict Came Down: A Reporter’s Reflections

denise — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:46:39 -0500

OAKLAND-Youth Radio reporters and essayists were out in force the night the verdict was read. A week later, we present their reflections on the events of that night, as observers and chroniclers of this community.

Youth Radio's Pendarvis Hashaw did most of his reporting from the corner of 14th and Broadway on the night the verdict was announced.

The first thing I tweeted the morning of the Oscar Grant/Johannes Mehserle decision was a quote from my mom, “They're going to announce the verdict at the same time Lebron makes his announcement,” and that’s just how it went down.

Just after 3pm I was walking out of the Kaiser Building on 19th and Broadway, when I spotted a co-worker sitting on the stairs in front of the building. She said everyone was asked to leave Youth Radio...everyone, except reporters. I dashed back to 17th and Broadway, ran up the flight of stairs, and entered into the chaos of a newsroom in breaking news mode.

We kept our composure, devised schemes for safety, food, and most importantly: news coverage. By ten till three, I was reporting from the corner of 14th and Broadway. I made my way through the growing crowd, microphone in hand, listening to the murmurs of the assembled in my headphones. No radio was playing, no television, and I don't even remember hearing a phone ring, I just remember the whisper "involuntary manslaughter,” and then louder "Involuntary Manslaughter.” Next came a question "Involuntary Manslaughter?” Then an angry "Involuntary Manslaughter!”

Two older men voiced their opinions closer to the curb. On the other side of the crowd a girl with a sign and a nose piercing shed tears. And in the middle of the throng, a news camera was pointed at a man who said he was "drawing the energy of the moment.” I was confused as to what his statement meant, but that confusion matched the energy of the moment. It was Just after 4pm, and the scheduled post verdict rally wasn't supposed to start until six.

I left the confused and confusing corner, came back to Youth Radio for a breather, and returned back into the streets at 5:45. The crowd had grown. There were at least four news helicopters circling. Kids in hoodies danced to loud sound systems blasting music with lyrics expressing disdain for the police. White anarchists climbed street poles to display signs expressing how they felt about police. And individuals graced the makeshift stage on the corner of 14th and Broadway, eloquently expressed how they felt about the police.

I ran around getting interviews, taking down info, and catching up with old friends...I was working, but I'm a member of this community too. It was wild. It was energetic. It was the most fun I've had for free in Oakland in a long time. And most of all, it was memorable.

The Night The Verdict Came Out: A Chaotic Night

denise — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:06:22 -0500

Youth Radio reporter Denise Tejada has been covering this story since the protests after Oscar Grant was killed more than a year and a half ago.

After the verdict was announced, I hit the streets. Protesters had already blocked off intersections. There were people walking around with megaphones and others holding Oscar Grant picture cut –outs. The protest started peacefully. City council members, community leaders, local musicians were amongst the peaceful crowd. A lot of people showed up, but as soon as the sun went down the crowd become rowdy.

Looters made their presence felt by breaking into Foot Locker, smashing its windows and stealing shoes. Police officers in riot gear lined up en mass to push looters away from downtown Oakland. As people were forced out of downtown, looters left behind broken windows, doors, and set trash cans on fire.

I felt the anger that night towards authorities.

As I watched people break into stores and stealing merchandise in front of police officers, I asked myself, why aren’t police doing anything? But as the night progressed and people become more violent, it was clear that if police intervened it would only make things worse. I was amongst an angry crowd of people. I saw various people taunting officers just to see how much cops could handle. And honestly, I felt cops held their own that night.

The level of violence and anger of that night didn’t compare to last year’s violent demonstrations. In last year’s protests, people were demanding Mehserle’s arrest and suspension. Over a year later, Mehserle was found guilty for involuntary manslaughter, a lesser degree from what protesters wanted, but one that indeed it brought some comfort to the streets.

Rally In Support Of Johannes Mehserle

denise — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:37:45 -0500

An event invitation titled “In Support of Johannes Mehserle and L.E.O.Rally” is making its way around Facebook. The invitation welcomes anyone who supports the former BART cop, his family and law enforcement officers. Creators emphasized their intent to keep the gathering PEACEFUL.

“This rally is NOT about inciting violence, destruction, intolerance, hatred, racism, riots or to upset the Grant family. If your intent is to do these things then please stay home. People who support law enforcement and Johannes have just as much right to rally together with other believers to have their voices heard and support one another.”
via Facebook

So far there are 76 confirmed guests attending this rally in support of Johannes Mehserle.

Mehserle Sentencing Moved to November 5th

nishat — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:41:26 -0500

LOS ANGELES - Sentencing for Johannes Mehserle in the involuntary manslaughter conviction in the death of Oscar Grant has been moved to the fall.

L.A. County Superior Court released an advisory this afternoon updating the sentencing from August 6th to November 5th at 8:30 a.m. Mehserle's attorney Michael Rains asked for an extension to prepare for sentencing.

In other news related to the verdict and its aftermath, it's being reported that Oakland police may bring charges against mayoral candidates Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan for their role in Thursday's protests after reviewing video footage of their involvement after the verdict was announced.

Click here for more multimedia stories about the Oscar Grant case.

Business Owners Don't Blame Cops For Their Broken Windows

denise — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:05:50 -0500

Protesters took over downtown Oakland as soon as the verdict in the murder trial of former BART officer Johannes Mehserle was announced. Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

The evening started off peacefully. People gathered by city hall to express their reactions to the verdict. But later that night, 17th and Broadway turned out to be the epicenter of protesters’ confrontation with police officers.

Businesses owners paid the price that night. As soon as the sun went down looters and angry protesters took over the streets and began breaking windows, doors, and setting trash cans on fire.

We spoke to Steve Suzio, one of the owners of Oakland Coin and Jewelry Exchange, whose windows were smashed that night. Suizo says it cost him a little less than $2,000 to replace his windows. He decided not report the damages to his insurance in order to avoid a rate increase.

But will the city of Oakland reimburse him for his windows? That is something he has yet to explore.

Despite the damages, Suizo doesn’t blame the cops for their lack of effort for preventing his windows from being broken. He says, “I understand that their strategy was to keep everybody away from downtown, so they forced them this direction. It didn’t help us but we understand their strategy.”

Click here for more multimedia stories about the Oscar Grant case.