A SFPD Video rocks the Nation? Tip of the iceberg...

Talk about the tip of the iceberg...We in Bayview wish we only would have to worry about a videotape...

Little press coverage has been dedicated to the constant intimidation, brutalization and criminalization of Bayview Hunters Point, I am a proud Bayview resident since 1997, a tightly knit community in the district that enjoys the best weather of the city, unfortunately sold out to developers, and under concerted efforts to evacuate by all means all Poor People of Color while in process of gentrification.

Yes, very little press coverage...regarding:

* The fatal shooting of 17 yr. old Sheila Detoy 7 years ago
* The fatal shooting of disabled student Idriss Stelley at the Metreon in 2001
* The fatal shooting of AIDS patient Jihad Akbar in 2002 at the Bagdad Cafe
* The infamous beating of Black Children on Kiska Road on MLK day 3 years ago (Bayview)
* The fatal shootings of Richard Tims and disabled Gregory Hooper (Mission, Chinatown), 2002
* The Beating of Marcus Law, on Middle Point Road, and brutalization of Baby Finsta left inconscious in an ambulance for nearly an hour without medical supervivion, 2003 (Bayview)
* The fatal shooting of disabled Cammerin Boyd (2005, Western Addition)
* The fatal shooting of Gus Rugley (2005, Alemany Boulevard), shot 36 times while his arms were up
* The shooting of Tyrelle Taylor on Northridge (Bayview, 2005). Incidently, Tyrelle was one of the 4 children beaten on MLK, which case is upcoming in Supreme Court (Sue Mc. Allister won in Federal Court, and the POA is challenging the judgement...)
* The suspicious death of asthma sufferer Craig Holden while in custody at the Bayview precinct 2 month ago.
* The suspicious shooting of Elliott (20) and Larry (22) Noble on 11-19-05, on their way to Save Tookie Williams Rally in San Quentin... Elliot died at the scene, Larry Jr., is in intensive care with bullets in His jaw and lost his left eye. Elliot, defended by John Burris, had an upcoming case against OPD, following his brutalization while filming the beating of his friend Michael Henry on June 10 2003. Elliot has quickly place the chip in his pocket before the officers grabbed his camera, Video was available online on Indymedia and still pictures in the Bayview...No Justice4 Elliot.
* The ongoing criminalization of Bayview by "Operation Impact", (CHP and SFPD collaboration), exclusively targeting Poor neighborhoods of Color, most emphasis on Bayview

Cohen's videotape is the very least we have suffered all along in Bayview. It frightens me to read that the tape is "art", all in good fun.... An organizational culture that does not condemn such doings is actually sending the message that it is OK to mock the poor, homeless, Asians and African Americans, and fosters more oppression potentially killing the innocent.

And don't get me wrong. in November 04, I graduated from the 15-week SFPD Academy Citizen Training, in a genuine effort to understand that particular culture, in spite of my personal grief for the PD killing of my only child Idriss Stelley. I happen to know outstanding officers on the force, such as Rosie Melendez, head of the training, Yolanda Williams (on extended leave of absence, Bayview Precinct), Officer Butler, now retired, who mentored my son as well as many children at risk in the western Addition. Although to a lesser degree, these outstanding folks suffer from the aftermath of the tape.

Former Captain Bruce states that his 8 yr. son is very traumatized by the publicity around the videotape. As a Mom, I sincerely feel for the child. Daddy should have thought about it before explicitly mimicking oral sex on camera to woman and a homeless Black woman. It is the same captain who came to Idriss Stelley Foundation, located in the heart of Bayview on 3rd and Palou, right after his nomination at the Bayview Precinct to explain his strategic plan to reduce crime, and to our dismay contended that he was conducting himself the precinct sensitivity training every morning before sending his "boys" to the streets.... Good Job, Bruce.

POA president Delaney gave an apology... mixed with reinforcement around the benign nature of the tape. Sorry, unacceptable. Short term suspension of the 24 offenders, sorry, unacceptable. We demand their immediate firing, as the only way to restore trust and respect between the department and out shattered community. WE demand that Chief Fong and Mayor Newsome sign the African American Community Policig Realtions Board protocol without any delay !

Idriss Stelley Foundation, nonprofit direct services to Victims (+their Families and Friends) of Law Enforcement Brutality stands in the very heart of SF Bayview, at the corner of 3rd and Palou, one of the most criminalized corner of Poor People of Color neighborhood in San Francisco. We also host the SF Bayview Chapter of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, and support groups for Victims, Friends and Family, help victims and families set up their websites for justice, organize protests and press conferences. We recently contributed in successfully raising $15,000 towards Tyrelle Taylor bail. Tyrelle currently awaits trial at an undisclosed location, safely with family. For more info call (415) 595-8251 or write to iolmisha [at] cs.com

Sites managed by ISF (Idriss Stelley Foundation):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ENOUGH_BVHP/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EndViolenceRationalRecovery/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeBrian/?yguid=93251013
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeGinaHinton/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isf23/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Akom/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4CRAIG/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4ELLIOTandLARRY/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Everardo_Lalo/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Gus/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Julio/
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/SaveLashaunHarris/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Tyrell/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Samuel/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NO2POLICEABUSEagainstLGBT/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NO_TASER/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SaveLashaun/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SocialJusticeForum/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWAPAC/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UzGotDaPOWER/