I call it murder
It’s Black Resistance to Police Terrorism Month, marked by five events in two weeks – four in Oakland, one in Los Angeles – described in these three fliers; be there and get involved!
by Cynthia McKinney
Well, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it was self-defense. But how many times have we heard self-defense by cops used as a cop out?
Well, what about Amadou Diallo? Amadou Diallo was murdered on Feb. 4, 1999, by New York Police Department cops who mistook a wallet for a gun. They claim that they thought he was going to shoot them and so they shot him in self-defense. One officer fell as if he had been shot. Forty-one bullets later, Amadou Diallo had been shot 19 times.
Young Amadou was only 24 years old. He could survive the itinerant life of an African trading family, moving from Africa to Asia, but he couldn’t survive the mean, racist streets of America. And the killer cops went free. Diallo’s mother and step-father settled with the City of New York for $3 million in a lawsuit alleging wrongful death, racial profiling and violation of Amadou’s civil rights.
Kathryn Johnston was 92 years old when she was murdered by Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers who claim that they shot her in self-defense after narcotics officers broke into her home on Nov. 21, 2006, using a “no-knock” warrant. Police forced their way into Johnston’s home and claimed to have found a stash of marijuana there. The APD officers claimed that she had injured them with her rusty revolver.
Sadly, it was all lies. Later, it was learned that the Atlanta police officers were actually injured by friendly fire after discharging their firearms 39 times, that they planted marijuana in the Johnston basement, lied on the drug warrant authorizing the raid, invented an informant justifying the raid and pressured an actual drug informant to lie for them. Atlanta’s lying killer cops did serve time – either for manslaughter, conspiracy to violate Johnston’s civil rights resulting in death, or perjury. The three officers were also required to reimburse the Johnston estate the $8,000 cost of her burial.
In the wee hours of Nov. 25, 2006, Sean Bell was murdered in a hail of 50 bullets fired by officers in the New York Police Department. Bell was celebrating his upcoming wedding and was leaving the club where he had just held his bachelor party. Police opened fire after they suspected the victim had a gun. Bell was struck four times in the neck and torso and died from his wounds. When no gun was to be found, they concocted a mystery witness who could possibly have had a gun. New York’s killer cops were acquitted on all charges.
Although Diallo, Johnston and Bell were Black, Blacks in the United States are not the only ones who can be victimized by murderous U.S. law enforcement. While on a visit to Cuba, I had the opportunity to meet and apologize to the widow of Filiberto Ojeda Rios, a leading Puerto Rican Independentista.
Wanted by U.S. authorities for actions stemming from his belief that Puerto Rico was a U.S. colony that should be independent, Ojeda Rios was murdered on Sept. 23, 2005, shot by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at his home. An FBI press release stated that Ojeda Rios opened fire on the FBI and that the FBI retaliated, but that claim was not substantiated by an inspector general’s report that noted that the FBI opened the attack on Ojeda Rios with a “flash bang” device. Ojeda Rios shot 10 times and the FBI fired 100 times. Ojeda Rios was struck in the lung by a single sniper’s bullet, fell to the floor and bled to death over 12 to 15 hours with no medical help allowed to save his life.
The United States government wanted to investigate the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist organization in the United States, and solicited Randy Weaver to become an informant. He turned them down. After a series of incitements and retaliations, federal agents trespassed on Ruby Ridge, Weaver’s home in Idaho, incited a response from the Weavers, two of whom left the house to see what was happening, and by the end of the ordeal, Weaver had lost two family members: his wife, Vicky, and his 14-year-old son, Sammy. His dog was killed, while another family member, Kevin Harris, had been wounded.
Randy Weaver was shot in the back. Justifying its attack on the Weavers, the U.S. government claimed that Weaver and Harris had fired at a government helicopter. At trial, the jury believed that federal agents shot and killed the Weaver dog, then shot and killed Sammy, prompting Harris to shoot and kill one of the agents.
The government awarded Randy Weaver $100,000 and one million dollars for each of three children. Although Harris had killed a U.S. agent, for which a jury had acquitted him of murder charges because he had fired only after having been fired upon, the federal government awarded him $380,000 in settlement.
This all brings me to the Jan. 30 report on the murder by the FBI of a Detroit Black man who was also an imam. The case seems to have all of the ingredients of the worst of the above cases: the use of informants, law enforcement claims of self-defense or firing in retaliation for being fired upon, and failure to call for medical assistance after a fatal shooting. The FBI also refuses to release what kind of weapon the imam had.
And more troubling is the autopsy that reportedly shows that Imam Abdullah was shot in the genitals – a vintage, racist attack on Black men used by White men during the days of U.S. slavery and even after the U.S. Civil War – and in the back. I suppose that was self-defense, too.
The sad fact of the matter is that too many killer cops are still walking around free. Sadly, many continue to serve as law enforcement officials, able to carry out their crimes against the community again and again.
Yes, they all will face God’s judgment when they die, but it would be nice to get some justice here on earth, too. The Obama Justice Department has the opportunity to exact justice on behalf of communities besieged by rogue, killer cops. The verdict is not looking good, unfortunately, on whether the Obama Justice Department will serve the American people much needed, long delayed justice or whether certain perpetrators and their law enforcement departments will be given yet another White House pass.
For news from, by and about Cynthia McKinney, former Georgia congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, check these websites: http://dignity.ning.com/, http://www.enduswars.org, http://www.livestream.com/dignity, http://www.twitter.com/dignityaction, http://www.myspace.com/dignityaction, http://www.myspace.com/runcynthiarun, http://www.twitter.com/cynthiamckinney, http://www.facebook.com/CynthiaMcKinney.
Cynthia McKinney to receive ‘Peace through Conscience’ award from Munich American Peace Committee
McKinney will accept the award at a peace conference in the same city as NATO’s Munich Security Conference, which will address the war on Afghanistan; Greens contrast McKinney’s ‘deserved’ award with Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize
Washington, D.C. – The Green Party of the United States congratulated former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney after an announcement that she will receive the Peace through Conscience award from the Munich American Peace Committee (MAPC). McKinney was the Green Party’s 2008 nominee for president of the United States.
MAPC will present the award to Cynthia McKinney during ceremonies of the Munich Peace Conference on the evening of Feb. 6. The MAPC Peace Prize is normally awarded by the previous year’s winner. In McKinney’s case, the award will be presented by André Shepherd, a U.S. Army specialist who applied for asylum in Germany after objecting to the wars in Iraq.
“I am humbled to be so recognized,” said Cynthia McKinney. “Clearly, the MAPC gave more thought to the significance of those whose struggle for peace is based on principle and an unshakeable commitment, despite the personal sacrifices required, than did the Nobel Peace Committee that rewarded our president for war.”
Commenting on the decision to grant President Obama the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, McKinney said, “In this way of thinking, peace is now war, lies are now truth and ignorance is strength.”
Ms. McKinney has urged Americans across Germany to gather in Munich and protest U.S. and NATO war policies, noting that Germany has sent its own troops to Afghanistan. She will meet with American expatriates while in Munich.
“We are very proud of Cynthia McKinney’s work for peace and human rights in the U.S. and internationally,” said Dr. Justine McCabe, co-chair of the Green Party’s International Committee. “Ms. McKinney has led the demand for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and strongly criticized President Obama’s announcement of a troop surge in Afghanistan. She has challenged NATO’s global expansion of military operations and demanded its abolition.
“Last June, after President Obama urged humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Ms. McKinney and other Free Gaza activists tried to deliver medical and construction supplies and other relief. They were illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters and jailed, while the White House remained silent. Unlike our president, Cynthia McKinney deserves a peace prize.”
In a presentation at the 8. Internationale Muenchner Friedenskonferenz (Eighth Munich International Peace Conference), McKinney will discuss chances for a civil and nonviolent U.S. foreign policy, the need to end the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. policies regarding Colombia and its neighbors and efforts toward a nuclear-free world. She will pose the question “What should governments and the politicians at the Security Conference do to promote peace and justice?”
Learn more about the Green Party of the United States at www.gp.org.
to view a partial list of crimes committed by FBI agents over 1500 pages long see
forums.signonsandiego. com/showthread.php?t=59139
to view a partial list of FBI agents arrested for pedophilia see
dallasnews. com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3574
Why didn’t you mention Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah’s long criminal record? Why didn’t you mention that he was in possession of firearms and that he fired upon the FBI agents killing an FBI dog? Why didn’t you mention that he and several of his followers were prison converts to Islam? Why didn’t you mention that he advocated the use of firearms and himself used firearms even though he was prohibited from having them? Why didn’t you mention his stash of firearms?
Your omissions speak loudly. Once again, you have decided to edit these stories for the benefit of criminals. Sure, you threw in Ruby Ridge as a spoiler, but for the most part you espouse the concept that black people are not responsible for their actions. That is why you use terms like “political prisoner” and “behind enemy lines”. You simply cannot accept that these black men are responsible for what happened to them. You should be ashamed of these people and condemn them as not representative of your community lest they bring shame to you all.
Spoken like a true FBI apologist from the time of doctor Martin Luther King the FBI a gang within itself aswell has been the bane of our African American community cross dressing Queen and leader of his wolf pack J Edgar Hoover considered a man of complete peace and tranquility stated doctor King as an pathological liar and danger to our republic! Cointel pro other police activities subverted,destroyed all deemed a threat to an paranoid racist corporate empire. For reactionaries as you there is absolutely no chance an opposing thought could engage your neanderthalic mind!
police brutality:
Hi Fritz,
When you don’t use grammar and ignore spelling, it’s kinda hard to take you seriously. I’ve read your style of argument many times, the formula breaks down this way:
1) Broad statement about law enforcement + 2) One example of law enforcement error +3) Insult opponent = truth.
Your statement does not discuss the article above or any case mentioned within it. Your argument makes no counterpoint to anything I brought up. That’s weak stuff. Look, was Hoover psychotic? Of course. Was his treatment of MLK wrong? Obviously. But that’s the problem with this article above. It’s like you and the other writers here still think it’s the 60s. It isn’t. Sure there’s still racism and it needs to be addressed. Yes, there is police brutality and corruption. But many of these cases here on this website are manufactured. Some simple investigation on my part revels that it is the defendant, not law enforcement, who is at fault. When you manufacture cases, you loose credibility and any sympathy you might have once had. Worse, actual cases of brutality and racism can be lost because no one believes you anymore.
The list of FBI atrocities committed against people of color is long. The organizational model of the FBI has always been that of a death squad whose mandate is to protect those of privilege and power. This has been documented in the book Protectors of Privilege by Frank Donner. I strongly recommend viewing the 4 DVD collection of the History of the Black Panthers made and produced by Vermont filmaker Roz Payne.
see here http://www.newsreel.us/
NEWSREEL FILMS – Roz Payne Archives
Roz Payne Archives POBox 164. Richmond, Vermont 05477 USA. (802) 434-3172. updated 7nov07. click areas of interest. video and film listings …
http://www.newsreel.us/ – Cached – Similar
Ms Payne interviews retired FBI agent Wesley Swearingen who discusses his job at the FBI was part of the FBI Racial Squad in San Fransisco. The job of FBI Racial Squads is to neutralize or assassinate black politicians and or activists. Every major American city has a FBI Racial Squad. Retired FBI agent Swearingen discusses the Geronimo Pratt case who over 27 years in prison
and was only released when a judge determined FBI agents had fabricated evidence against him. The case is discussed in the book LAST MAN STANDING by Jack Olsen. FBI agent Swearingen has authored a book called FBI SECRETS documenting the Death Squad activities of FBI agents when he worked at the FBI for over 25 years. Swearingen currently lives in the San Diego area.
People may be interested in reading the book called RACIAL MATTERS by Professor Kenneth O’Reilly. Racial Matters is the name of just one of the FBI files the FBI is keeping on Black America. Of course there is the classic book AGENTS OF REPRESSION written by Professor Ward Churchill
which uncover the campaign of genocide directed against blacks by FBI agents. The most important books to read are ORDERS TO KILL and the more recent ACT OF STATE. They are written by attorney William Pepper who represented the Martin Luther King family in a 1999 civil trial in Memphis
where the King family sued one of the assassins of Dr King in civil court. The jury returned a verdict on behalf of the King family and then held a press conference saying the evidence presented during the trial convinced them the FBI
planned the assassination of Dr King. These two books detail the evidence that was presented during the trial.
see link for full story
2 reads
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/12/AR2008031203783.html
1st read
ARLINGTON COUNTY
Ex-FBI Official Gets Six Years
19-Year Veteran Tortured Girlfriend
By Kirstin Downey
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 13, 2008
In a courtroom crowded with his friends from law enforcement, a former FBI official was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison for torturing his girlfriend at knifepoint and gunpoint during a six-hour ordeal in her Crystal City high-rise apartment.
Carl L. Spicocchi, 55, a 19-year FBI veteran who had run the Toledo office and was on temporary assignment in Washington, pleaded guilty in Arlington County Circuit Court last year to two felony counts of abduction and using a firearm in the Aug. 23 attack.
Almand sentenced Spicocchi to 10 years in prison, suspending four of them.
Spicocchi, who is married, believed his girlfriend was dating another man and attacked her in a jealous rage, according to court records. But the girlfriend, who said she was too fearful of Spicocchi to appear in court yesterday, said in a statement that she was not unfaithful.
“He thought she was cheating on him, but she wasn’t,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Lisa Bergman. The attack “came completely out of the blue,” Bergman said.
In the statement, read by Bergman, the woman gave this account: When she came home that day, she found Spicocchi hiding in a closet, armed with a gun and a 10-inch knife. He stripped her and wrapped her in tape, then dragged her around the apartment by her hair. He forced the gun into her mouth and held the knife to her throat. He beat her repeatedly. He told her that he would cut open her veins and that, because of his training, he knew how long it would take the blood to drain from her body.
“He said I had met my match,” she said in the statement.
He told her that he planned to kill her and that she would soon join her father, who had died 10 months earlier. He said that he would write a check for $100,000 from her account and flee to South America after she was dead and that he had a plane ticket for a 6 a.m. flight.
http://rawstory.com/2010/02/arabic-studies-student-detained-interrogated-who-911/
2nd read
Student detained for toting Arabic flash cards sues police
By Daniel Tencer
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
nickgeorge Student detained for toting Arabic flash cards sues policeThe ACLU has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a college student who was arrested by the TSA and detained for five hours over a set of Arabic-language flash cards he was carrying.
Nick George, a student at Pomona College in California, was grilled by the TSA on “who did 9/11″ and asked by FBI agents whether he was a communist after airport security officers found Arabic-English language learning cards in his luggage last summer, according to news reports and the ACLU.
George was boarding a plane to California on Aug. 29, 2009, after visiting his native Pennsylvania when TSA agents noticed the cards. George had been studying Arabic and used the flash cards — which have Arabic on one side and English on the other — to help him translate the Arabic news service al-Jazeera. Among the flash cards were the words “terrorist” and “explosion,” the Philadelphia Daily News reported.
Among the questions a TSA agent asked him were “Do you know who did 9/11?” and “Do you know what language Osama bin Laden spoke?”
Grilled later by the FBI, George — who is not Arabic — was asked if he had converted to Islam or joined a communist organization, the Daily News reported.
Hey Mulligan why don’t you go visit StormFront or VDare. Why did feel the need to express your stupidity on a Black Newspaper website
Can’t stand racists regardless of color Selina. Racism + Entitlement = racist white people, racism + zero responsibility = racist black people. Sooner or later, both of you will cut the crap and move on. Oh, and I like the “Black Newspaper” comment. Interesting to know that different kinds of truth are color coded. Gratz.
Well no need to look further than the actions of our own brothers and sisters in Africa.
Killing one another is the only thing we do on a steady basis, we then blame someone or something else for our own actions, uncle Tom is dead. look into your hearts people. STOP following the false prophet brothers who will make their riches off of your emotions, we didn’t wear turpins in the Mother land.
Maybe we should go back to our continent and beautify the mother of our heritage.
I agree Jamal and when we’re in the Mother Land, The Promise Land. We wont have to deal with the Like of a race of people Like John Mulligan
MULTLEVEL GENOCIDE; KILL BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, KILL INDEPENDENT THOUGHT, KILL FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION, KILL ANY RESISTANCE TO THE POWER STRUCTURE, AND ON AND ON. IT WILL NOT STOP, IN THE WORDS OF BOB MARLEY;
"GET UP STAND UP, STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS –GET UP STAND UP, DONT GIVE UP THE FIGHT"