Justice for Renisha McBride: The Trial So Far

Unfortunately, according to Legal Insurrection, judge Dana Hathaway banned live streaming of the trial. That may be part of the reason why the case is not receiving the kind of news coverage that it deserves. Local news and Rev. Al Sharpton are some of the few outlets providing coverage.

We must continue to bring attention to this case. Otherwise, injustice may prevail under the shroud of darkness.  This nation cannot afford another Trayvon Martin verdict. We cannot afford another Jordan Davis verdict. Are we not human beings? Do our lives have any value in this country?  We must continue to demand justice for Renisha.

Here is the latest news.

The Detroit News reports that:

Detroit — The big question surrounding the murder trial of Dearborn Heights homeowner Theodore Wafer is whether the 55-year-old defendant will take the witness stand in the shooting death of 19-year-old Renisha McBride on his porch in November.

Defense attorneys Cheryl and Mack Carpenter, a daughter and father legal team, have declined to comment on whether Wafer will be a witness in his own defense. Last week, Cheryl Carpenter said her client is “terrified” and that “he is on trial for his life.”

The defense began presenting its case Wednesday and called former Wayne County Medical Examiner Dr. Werner Spitz as its first witness. Spitz, a former longtime Wayne County Medical Examiner, is expected to continue his testimony Thursday.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/METRO01/307310073#ixzz3942e125O

#FreePalestine

Good morning. Yesterday, as I drove down Charles St. in Baltimore, I saw pro-Palestine protestors marching down the street. I immediately pulled over my car, parked, got out and joined the march. Israel's massacre of the Palestinian people is unconscionable, immmoral and illegal.

In the video below, I explain why we should all be concerned about the crisis in Gaza. We must stand up and speak out.



Please rate, comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

NYPD Cop Chokes A Brother to Death

Daily News Reports that:

A 400-pound asthmatic Staten Island dad died Thursday after a cop put him in a chokehold and other officers appeared to slam his head against the sidewalk, video of the incident shows.

“I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” Eric Garner, 43, repeatedly screamed after at least five NYPD officers took him down in front of a Tompkinsville beauty supply store when he balked at being handcuffed.

Within moments Garner, a married father of six children with two grandchildren, stopped struggling and appeared to be unconscious as police called paramedics to the scene. An angry crowd gathered, some recording with smartphones.

“When I kissed my husband this morning, I never thought it would be for the last time,” Garner’s wife, Esaw, told the Daily News.

She got no details from police until after she had gone to the hospital to identify his body, she said.

Read more here.

News Day reports that:

Chokeholds are prohibited by the New York City Police Department and most departments," Bratton said at the news conference. The commissioner added that "Mr. Garner repeatedly complained of difficulty breathing as the officers wrestled him to the ground."

An ambulance was called and Garner went into cardiac arrest while he was being taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, Bratton said. However, he added that the medical examiner will rule on the cause of death.

De Blasio and Bratton said that a final determination of any breaking of law or departmental regulations would be made after an investigation by the Staten Island District Attorney's office and police internal affairs.

Here is yet another example of police brutality and racism. The police did not have a legitimate reason to stop and arrest Eric Garner.  He was not violating any law. Mr. Garner did not pose a threat to the police. Obviously, the brother did not deserve to have his life choked away. Now, his family must sadly mourn the lost a husband, a father and a grandfather gone too soon.

Many African Americans voted for De Blasio based on his promise to improve the relationship between the black community and the police. The killing of Eric Garner is a brutal reminder that institutional racism will not automatically disappear with an election. In fact, police brutality and racial profiling may be permanent fixtures in the American life.

How many black men must die at the hands of the cops?! How many justice marches and rallies must we have?  Every other day, there is a new victim and a new demand for justice. Today's rallying cry is justice for Eric Garner. Unfortunately, tomorrow, it will be someone else.

Black Men March Against Violence in Baltimore

The Afro reports that:

Taking yet another opportunity to send the message that Baltimore men are committed to stopping the violence in this city, they gathered, 300 strong at the west end of North Avenue, July 11, supported by neighbors and friends.

The annual event, a 10 mile march, was organized by the 300 Men March Movement, an outreach initiative created by community activist Munir Bahar and Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott, according to the organization’s website. In addition to holding the annual march, the group trains men for direct engagement in communities plagued by violence...

The march involved men of all ages and races. Brownfish mentioned an 80-year-old White man who made all 10 miles of this year’s march.

The march was hardly an all-male affair, however. Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake spoke at the opening of the demonstration, and many women helped to serve as floating registrars, signing up men who would join the march as it progressed eastward and back, as well as providing water and moral support for the demonstrators.

Read more here.

Real men and women do not quietly sit down while their communities are being ravaged by drugs and violence. The courageous stand up. The courageous fight. The courageous struggle. The courageous strive to rescue their communities from the clutches of despair and hopelessness.

We need more movements like the 300 Men March Movement. Whether one lives in the suburbs or the city, each one of us should join and actively participate in stop the violence organizations.