(From Makani Themba-Nixon, director of The Praxis Project)
1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it
2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents’ review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors atBoardofDirectors@bart.gov
3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers’ conduct and demand immediate action: Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov; Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov
Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.
4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)
5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.
Now, I love this. The community is provided some discrete action steps.
I provided some advice on my blog also about this matter. I think the biggest thing is to openly challenge the Bay Area trying to make this a “Black issue” and let them know we are on to that racist tactic.
I've seen news stories and articles coming out of San Francisco trying to portray the cop as a “good guy before this incident” and the tired “Black community leaders gather to discuss the incident” to try to make this issue just a “Black problem” that other people should ignore.
We need to make sure the community at large fully understand that Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere..