police brutality

from the open publishing newswire: I came to Honduras as part of a delegation of concerned activists who went to witness and accompany the daily protests, monitor human rights violations, and report back to the international community on conditions since the June 28^th military coup. On that day, democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya was forcibly removed from office by the Honduran military and expelled from the country.  In the aftermath there has been an immediate popular uprising in his support, with many instances of severe police and military repression which continue today.  The following is a reflection on time spent in and around Tegucigalpa during two critical weeks in August.

Last night as I was packing my bags to go to Honduras, I heard that the military repression was getting worse.  One hundred and fifty arrested, many wounded.  I sit in the airport waiting room and scan CNN.  Not a mention on the world news.

(reposted from the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder)

What if you were raped and no one believed you?  Now--what if you were raped by the police?  What if their superiors failed to investigate the crime?  What if instead of punishing the rapists, they charged you with the crime of lying about police "misconduct"?

This is what happened to Camille Williams, a black Twin Cities woman.**  Raped by Minneapolis Police Officers Paul Gillies and Miquel Barnes almost two years ago, Williams was subsequently charged with the crime of falsely reporting police misconduct--a charge levied so that, audio recordings tell, the MPD could avoid a civil lawsuit.  After a two and a half week trial, Williams was found guilty by a 6-person Hennepin County jury on Monday, despite allegations of jury misconduct (including one juror sleeping during the trial).  On Tuesday, when Williams was scheduled to be sentenced, the defense successfully argued for a postponement until August 14 based on several pending motions aimed at overturning the decision.

"I didn't lie about a damn thing and here I am, accused of a crime!" Williams says.  Gillies and Barnes, meanwhile, continue to walk the beat.

**Although the rape survivor's name has been reported by corporate media outlets, we are changing it here, even though the callous disregard for survivors of sexual assault (whether proven in the courts of the perpetrator or not) by uncritical pro-police media has already resulted in harm.  Also: Note that the article below may trigger strong and difficult emotions/memories, especially for survivors and others affected by sexual assault and police brutality.

Related: As Summer Heats Up, Testimony Describes MPD as Brutal, Lawless | Rochester, NY IMC: Fighting Police Brutality with Video | Bay Area IMC: Oakland Police Kill Unarmed Fleeing Black Man

In Hastings, MN on July 10, 2008, at night Brandon was having a mental health crisis. When the Hastings Police were dispatched, he ran into the cemetery behind their house. Refusing their commands and waving a sword, the police shot Brandon several times and died at the hospital on July 11, 2008.

    After the painful event, The Hastings Police rather than addressing the wrongful death and very poor and lack of judgement, Police Chief McMenomy awarded the officers medals of honor for killing him.

50-60 Minneapolis residents gathered at the Urban League on the north side's Plymouth Avenue Monday night to give testimony about brutality and harassment at the hands (and batons, tasers, guns, etc.) of the Minneapolis Police Department. Their stories showed that police misconduct against people of color and the homeless is not isolated, and nearly all present were in agreement that, as one speaker proclaimed, "they've got to be accountable. Minneapolis has one of the most brutal police departments in the U.S."

The primary aim of this public hearing and an upcoming hearing to be scheduled on the south side was to gather testimony, to be shared with federal officials, with the goal of putting the Minneapolis Police Department under federal receivership. With a decree of receivership from the Department of Justice, the MPD would be under official supervision from the federal government until it became in compliance with the law. This new strategy is being used, say its proponents, since a decade of organizing around civilian review boards, individual lawsuits, a class action suit, and federal mediation has not succeeded in stopping MPD violence and harassment.

With lawyers, activists, a representative of Keith Ellison's office, and many survivors present, the testimonies were mixed with calls for communal action. "The people receiving these brutalities," said one audience member after telling his story, "outnumber the people who are doing it."

Related: Cop Culture Series on KFAI Radio | MPLS Civil Rights Department on Chopping Block | Community Members Rally in Reponse to Fong Lee Verdict | Ofiong Sanders Imprisoned for Lurking |  July 11: Hastings Rally One Year After Police Killing | CUAPB 

On May 7, Ofiong Sanders finished mowing the lawn for his parents. While that same evening, when he was finished with the yard work, he decided to go on a trip around the block exercising. Since living in a quiet neighborhood and a block a way from his home, thinking no one would notice. While starting his 20 paces, 20 sit-ups, going up and down the block, the Saint Paul Police Department approached him with on foot with flashlights. While asking why was he being detained, they said "We'll think of something".

The police got a call for suspicious activity that night, but no one can admit anything on the incident. Then finally after an half an hour in a squad car went by, he was arrested for lurking. Then at 3 AM was bailed out, only costing him $100 for that incident. Then went back home, slept for an hour, cleaned up to go to work around 6:30 am. A few days later, May 13, six police officers went to his work to arrest Mr. Sanders unannounced. He is now being held for the lurking charge with his parole officer.

Unsure on the case, Mr. Sanders was going to seek a lawyer for legal advice before calling his parole officer. And to make matters worse, his aunt died and her funeral was on May 18, and he worried that he'd miss saying his final goodbye to his aunt he loved.