The Murder of Oscar Grant Demands Justice in Alameda County

[Moorbey]

The Murder of Oscar Grant Demands Justice in Alameda County
by Minister Keith Muhammad

Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. (NIV)

Isaiah 59
Sin, Confession and Redemption
1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken lies,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads his case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments and speak lies;
they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
Psalm 94:20 (King James Version)
20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?Ladies and gentlemen of the press, sisters and brothers who stand for justice


On January 1, 2009 Oscar Grant III, a young, productive father rode BART as he and his friends celebrated the coming New Year. Never in their minds were they prepared for what they would face. BART police, having authority of law, chose to violate the most basic precept of law, that declares a citizen is entitled to a fair trial, to face their accusers, to be tried by a jury of their peers, and that we should live with the presumption of innocence, that allegations must be proven beyond reasonable doubt for any crime for which we are charged. These rights are basic to every American citizen.

On January 1, 2009 Oscar Grant III was not given his right as a citizen of God, nor as a citizen of America to face his accusers. He was not given a fair trial. He was not given a trial by a jury of his peers. He was not given the presumption of innocence. He was not charged with any crime to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. He was not given the treatment that American citizens are provided and certainly he was not given his God given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The defense attorney’s for Johannes Mehserle, the officer clearly responsible for shooting Oscar Grant III, an unarmed, unaccused passenger on BART on January 1 robbed Oscar of his life after responding to the racially charged epithets hurled at Oscar by BART officer Anthony Pirone.
The defense attorney has filed a motion for change of venue that suggests that his client cannot get a fair trial in Alameda County because historically Black activism has organized people to fight police brutality. It is shameful that Johannes Mehserle would allege that justice cannot be attained because in this community there are men and women of integrity he dare to stand up against injustice. As a peace officer, Johannes Mehserle and his attorney should stand with those who stand for justice.

It is shameful that Johannes Mehserle would allow his attorney to argue that because Blacks and others, have organized themselves to stand for justice that justice cannot be served in Alameda County. Injustice in Alameda County was not produced by Black activism. Black activism was born out of the injustice of those who, under the banner of law, became for many poor citizens, like Oscar Grant III, victims of a police officer taking the law into his own hands becoming judge, jury and executioner on the street.

It is shameful that Johannes Mehserle would allow or instruct his attorney to argue that his client’s problem is not multiple videotapes and witnesses; his failure to report his actions to BART authority and the District Attorney; but that the difficulty of his trial is the citizens in Alameda County could not serve fairly on a jury. How can this be assumed without questioning any member of a jury pool honestly and openly?

It is shameful that Johannes Mehserle would allow his attorney to argue that historically, Oakland, having the rich and proud history of the Black Panther Party, the Pullman Porters, the Nation of Islam, Black Mayors, Black City Officials, Black County, State and Federal elected officials, all fighters for Justice cannot speak responsibly, with truth for justice in the murder of Oscar Grant III. How can it be assumed in law that having concerned elected officials and citizens would taint a jury pool; and yet no jury pool has been polled openly and honestly?

It is shameful that Johannes Mehserle has instructed or permitted his attorney to ignore the merits of his case and seek to play a race card, a liberal card, a socialist card, a religious tradition card to convince judges that his client cannot get a fair trial in Alameda County. How can it be argued that a fair jury cannot be found when the court has yet to call and interview potential jurors?
We stand with the district attorney to declare ourselves friends of justice. We demand that this trial remain in Alameda County; that the people of Alameda County may participate in our citizenship rights to protect justice in our county.

It is a shameful, travesty of justice, and a perversion of truth that Johannes Mehserle has allowed his attorney to pander to the fears of the judge and hurled revisionists history of Black activism to frighten the public into agreement that Johannes Mehserle cannot get a fair trial in Alameda County.

In closing, we take personal offense that Johannes Mehserle has instructed or permitted his attorney to include in his arguments the false statements, diversionary tactics, smear campaign, and racist innuendo as the basis for his defense, as he attempts to try community leadership in the court of public opinion. Black elected officials, activists and supporters of justice did not kill Oscar Grant III. Johannes Mehserle did. Let his trial begin and end in Alameda County, the place where his grievious act occurred.

We stand firmly on the side of justice. We are, in fact, the friends of justice. We stand with the family of Oscar Grant to secure justice for the murder of our son, father, neighbor and friend, Oscar Grant III. Keep this trial in Alameda County. I AM OSCAR GRANT! I WANT JUSTICE!

[Pragmatic]

"It is a shameful, travesty of justice, and a perversion of truth that Johannes Mehserle has allowed his attorney to pander to the fears of the judge and hurled revisionists history of Black activism to frighten the public into agreement that Johannes Mehserle cannot get a fair trial in Alameda County.

In closing, we take personal offense that Johannes Mehserle has instructed or permitted his attorney to include in his arguments the false statements, diversionary tactics, smear campaign, and racist innuendo as the basis for his defense, as he attempts to try community leadership in the court of public opinion. Black elected officials, activists and supporters of justice did not kill Oscar Grant III. Johannes Mehserle did. Let his trial begin and end in Alameda County, the place where his grievious act occurred."

The Murder of Oscar Grant Demands Justice in Alameda County
by Minister Keith Muhammad


"Didn't they believe Black people were attuned with "normal" white authority without question??? ie. Black codes

Didn't they believe that?" Reparations is Bloodmoney!

Don't they believe that, still?

Don't they believe that since they have created a enviroment of distrust *(from the ashes of abuse); that at any given time, one can use his "white sovereignty card" to escape justice.

If retribution is what the European is up against, they use there white guilt trip, to get out trouble a whole hella of alot. They truly believed they had become the "Universal will" for Mankind.

When I was growing up, we got "whooped" for honest behavior's and mistakes. I'm fortunate today, not to do that to my kids. I can listen to there troubles without spanking em and still give them consequences for there actions.

I can have a relationship, with my parents, built on principles, and choice.

The two things I didn't know I had as a child; The two things that were reinforced through hitting. (*Naivety, ignorance, and irresponsibility; 3 triggers I learned as child that I use very frequently.)

I didn't learn, until my adulthood, that I could trust what I felt, without reprisal. It was only then, this freedom to have "shortcomings" and "character flaws" that I was able to start "trusting" people around me. People who didn't punish me for being myself. Who gave me "friendly advice" but didn't hurt me when they gave it.

I was watching "Divorce Court". They never start the show with pointing on the "good" in the peoples relationship. They immediately go right into why the couple can't make it work. Then after they rehash all that all stuff, they ask what could they do to make it work. Of course it's to late. Ni'ther one of them ain't trying to make it work. They just had to relive a whole half hour of the b*llsh*t they been living with for the longest time already.

* Punishment is a magnet most of us know to well. We see standup comedians clownin' about it. But who's running to the Black community's rescue.

Ex. The Mormon's practice polgamy. When it got out of control, outside forces, came in and held them accountable for there "cultural shortcomings".

What about Black folks. We have a culture steeped in abuse. But where is the rescue team for us? It's not so funny when we are the "ass end of the joke".

I believe in unity, just for today. I believe it works, because I believe that can't no one justify my behavior (s), failures, and personal achievements better than I can.

Just for today, I'm trying to listen to be heard. Instead of punishing myself, and others around me cause I'm afraid of taking responsibility for being me, GOD willing.


Question: Why do they use a Black women on "Divorce Court"?

Peace be upon you and Thanks for the post

Reparations is Bloodmoney! And other ideas for Principled centered thinkers...

[G1deon]

i am oscar grant! I want justice!

Keep this trial in Alameda County.

Makes one wonder why THEY can't get justice in a Black community, but THEY gotta go elsewhere to find it... sends a message loud and clear