I met up with a Teamster buddy at a local restaurant this afternoon. It usually does not have a television, but today the News was showing on full blast, with a small group gathered around it. Then came the verdict: a Bay Area Rapid Transit cop whose murder of a 21-year old on a train platform was captured on a dozen cell phone cameras was not found guilty of murder.
Later at my meeting of the Carpenters Union, my Recording Secretary and I worded a motion to put forward to register our disgust at this officer being found guilty simply of manslaughter.
During the discussion on the floor a member said that he was not sure if he would go to work the next day out of respect for Oscar Grant’s family's second loss ( the failure to properly convict their son’s murderer.) He went on to explain to the members how he sat down his three sons and told them that they are young and black and need to understand what has gone on here. He went on to explain that he could not imagine the suffering of Oscar Grant's mother and that he did not want any of his black sons going out one night with their friends and be murdered by someone who is supposed to be protecting people.
Another member spoke and asked what would happen to him if he had kneeled on someone's back and fired a bullet into their head. From the floor a worker yelled out, "they'd throw away the key!"
Our motion passed unanimously (see below) at the meeting. Even the right wing in our local were silent.
After the meeting a Latino worker who’s a good militant in the union approached me to thank me and mentioned that 20 years ago he went out and rioted after the Rodney King verdict. He said he’s too old for that this time.
As I drove home back into Oakland I almost expected to see plumes of smoke rising from downtown where thousands were amassing to protest the verdict. On the so-called Justice System’s head be it, if the anger explodes.
An Open Letter from Carpenters Local 713 to the family of Oscar Grant
To be sent on to the Oakland Tribune
On this day, July 8th 2010, the BART police officer who shot and killed the unarmed, handcuffed grocery worker, Oscar Grant, was found guilty of manslaughter. He may face as little as two years in prison.
Our union consistently fights for justice and equality for working people. We are appalled at this verdict.
The people of Oakland are tired of experiencing one law for the rich and those in authority and another for the poor and working class.
We offer our sympathy to the family of Oscar Grant and share in their anger at today’s travesty of justice.
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