LDIR

On May 29^th, 2010 LDIR was proud to cosponsor the forum “Building Solidarity Across Race: A Community Forum Against Police Violence” with the Ida B. Wells Institute.  This event captured the essence and impact of police brutality and racial profiling in our country.   Fierce Independent journalist, Thandisizwe Chimurenga, eloquently wove the connections of racial profiling across race and showed that racial profiling is an issue for all people of color.  Representatives from the families of Mike Cho, Christian Portillo, DeAundre Brunston, and Oscar Grant spoke about the racial targeting that was a result of the brutal, open, and unfounded killings of all of these people.  Thandisizwe showed us disturbing yet very crucial video footage of the murder of Oscar Grant. Through watching the video in slow motion, Thandisizwe showed us all what no one wants to believe: the killing of Oscar Grant was unfounded, brutal murder and there is no debating that.

Unfortunately, Thandisizwe explained, through the systems in place within this country, which allow racism and violence against people of color to exist, this topic will be debated in court.  However, for the first time in the State of California, a police officer will be tried for murder. Thandisizwe reinforced during the forum that it is our duty as people of color to gain media attention within our communities around this upcoming trial, because Oscar Grant’s murder is a reflection of the blatant killing of people of color everyday, everywhere.

For additional information check out La Opinion’s coverage of the event, and an article based off of this forum by Muneera Shariff Gardezi, Justice: Policing the Innocent, Domestically and Abroad.