An Open Letter to the Community

An Open Letter to the  Community from Black Elected Officials and Clergy of the Eastbay

Within the next couple of days and/or weeks there will be a verdict in  the Oscar Grant case.  This case has struck a nerve in Oakland and  around the world.  In anticipation of the verdict the Black Elected  Officials and Clergy of the Eastbay wanted to share some information  with our community.

Representatives of our organization have been monitoring this case since  Oscar Grant was senselessly murdered by Johannes Mehserle on January 1,  2009.  We demanded that a reluctant District Attorney file criminal  proceedings against Mehserle; we helped to organize community pressure  on BART to bring about organizational change and implementation of  polices and procedures to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens  again; we have attended all of the court proceedings; and most  importantly we have demanded justice for Oscar Grant, his family and  everyone that Oscar represents – because we all could be Oscar Grant.
 
A community needs to know that its leadership will stand to protect  their interests.  While we are hopeful that our Justice System will be  just; we are mindful of incidences where it has failed us.  When the  system failed us in the Rodney King case, the Justice Department stepped  in to ensure that the Community’s interests were protected.  We, the  Black Elected Officials and Clergy of the Eastbay, stand prepared to  call upon all State and Federal agencies to seek any and all recourse if  an unjust verdict is rendered in this case.
 
We know that emotions may run high depending on the outcome of Johannes  Mehserle’s criminal proceedings.  The current State Court proceedings  are just one step on the road to justice for Oscar Grant.  As such, we  are asking that you work with us to shut down anyone who would engage in  destructive behavior in our community.  We are also asking that you  work with us as we continue to demand justice for Oscar.  We have been  assured that the Justice Department is monitoring the Mehserle case.    
 
Martin Luther King said that peace is not merely the absence of tension:  it is the presence of justice.  In the same vein as Martin Luther King,  Rosa Parks, Rodney King, and many others we will receive JUSTICE FOR  OSCAR GRANT.
 
The struggle continues,
 
Hon. Desley Brooks
Hon. Keith Carson
Minister Keith Muhammad
Rev. Dr. Harold R. Mayberry
Rev. Zachary Carey
Hon. Darleen Brooks
Hon. Kathy Neal
Hon. Marlon McWilson
Bishop Keith Clark
Rev. Dr. Kevin Barnes
Hon. Darryl Moore

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I AM OSCAR GRANT! THE VERDICT (Emergency Townhall)
Saturday, July 3, 2010 (4:00pm - 6:00pm)

Olivet Institutional Missionary  Baptist Church
807 27th Street, Oakland, CA

Emergency meeting to discuss:
*  Report from court, closing arguments, potential outcome from jury
*  Plans and preparation for post-Verdict Activism
* Ensuring Justice is  Served

Remember: "Peace is not merely the absence of tension: it  is the presence of Justice." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.