[Ppnews] Warren Update #4

Mon Jun 25 16:49:30 EDT 2007

From: Chamba Notes <chambanotes at earthlink.net>
Subject: Warren Update #4
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:40:39 -0400

ACTIVIST BROOKLYN-BASED ATTORNEY MICHAEL TARIF WARREN WHO HAS 
REPRESENTED SEVERAL HIGH-VISIBILITY MEDIA CLIENTS NOW FINDS HIMSELF 
IN THE MIDST OF HIS OWN POLICE-ABUSE CASE. HIS CASE HAS OUTRAGED MANY 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT PARTICULARLY IN NEW YORK. THIS IS THE LATEST UPDATE.
SB

If you have a job you don't like or a relationship, you have the 
option of leaving.  However, if you have a life challenge based on 
the color of your skin, what are your options?

Thursday night, a Black civil rights couple found out just how true 
that is.  The law degree did not set them free, instead it almost got 
them killed.

I received quite a few emails on this incident but did not have much 
time to send it out on Saturday.  Sunday morning while listeing to 
the Open Line on KRS, I heard Mr. and Mrs. Warren (the civil rights 
attorneys) explain in their own words their experience of police brutality.

These are probably not word for word quotes, but I remember what I 
heard quite distinctly.

The incident was explained so vividly by Mr. Warren:

The police were chasing a young Black man.  To me the scene was like 
watching a herd of lions chasing their prey.   The look on the face 
of the young man was sheer horror because he knew his fate if he were 
to get caught.

The gang of police officers including the Sargeant tackled the young 
man to the ground and handcuffed him.  Instead of putting him in the 
police car, they started kicking him in the head repeatedly.  I 
identified myself as an attorney and Sargeant Talvey and asked why he 
was beating the young man, why not place him in the car and take him 
to the precint.  Talvey told me to keep my F****** mouth shut and do 
not get out of the car.   My window was rolled down and I proceeded 
to copy down license plate numbers and badges.  When Talvey saw that, 
he came over to my side of the car window and began to punch me in 
the head several times.   This man was so enraged he physically 
pulled me out of the car through the window.   I had on a suit and 
tie and the force was so strong every button on my shirt was ripped 
off except the last one.

The indicent explained so vividly by Mrs. Warren:

I saw my husband being punched and I asked the officer to stop.  I 
reached over to push him away and he punched me in my face.   After 
my husband was pulled out of the car, my husband told me to stay in 
the car.  I felt the need to get out and follow to see what they were 
doing to my husband.   A crowd had gathered and Talvy came to me and 
asked for my drivers license.  I gave it to him and he gave it to a 
female officer, she began writing down information.   I asked her why 
and she said He told me to.  I tried to take my license from her hand 
and Talvy declared I was trying to hit an officer.  The female 
officer claimed I sractched her.  Talvy was then going to handcuff me 
and put me on the ground.  A crowd had gathered and told them not to.

Ok, they were taken to the police station and the police were 
planning to send them through the system.   As luck would have it 
(God's intervention), the Warrens saw a friend of theirs in the 
crowd.  Mrs. Warren gave this young lady phone numbers to call.  The 
call went out and about 300 people showed up at the 77th Precinct 
demanding the Warrens be released and they were.   Charges are still 
pending for interference and resisting arrest.

The key here is that 300 determined but peaceful people showed up and 
the Warrens did go through the JUST US horrible system.

Sunday (6/24/07) on KRS Open Line and wherever else the drums were 
beating, there was a call to come out to the 77th Precinct --- Bergen 
and Utica, Brooklyn, NY -- as a show of force to remind the police 
that their behavior is unacceptable.  Violence was not on the agenda 
at all.   Most of the 300 or so in the crowd were over 50, the 
children who have not been prepared to protect and preserve were few 
in the crowd.  Of course, Charles Barron was there and no one else 
that I could see from the political side.   The same devoted crew of 
activists were there and people from all walks of life, races, etc. 
who are tired, embarrased, etc.
I stood there silently most of the time, just looking at the Black 
police officers, listening and watching the helicopters above, 
chanting NO Justice, Whose Streets, etc.  I could feel the energy of 
the Black police officers protecting the precinct.  The crowd began 
to ask them, how do you sleep at night.   Charles Barron had said, 
when that cop punched Mrs. Warren in the face, it wa like punching my 
mother, my sister, my daughter or my wife.  A sign read, either they 
shoot us or beat us!

It was peaceful, not even that loud despite the drums.   We waited 
for Mr. and Mrs. Warren to appear and speak of gratefulness to the 
people.   To the disappointment and amazement of the police, the 
Warrens asked us to leave in peace and determination, we did 
immediately as requested.Suddenly, I began to cry as a sister gently 
held my elbow.   I just said.....I am so tired of this, look at what 
we have left for our children.  40-50 years and this is the best we can do?

Here is the article below, I hope this opens your consciousness and 
you make a commitment to do something more than just shake your head, 
talk or worry about your own personal safety at this point.  Last 
week, folks were on the street determined to name Gates Avenue after 
Sonny Carson.   Defiantly, they did and the sign has yet to be taken 
down by the City.   Who Streets?????   Imagine, Christine Quinn being 
so insensitive given her gender and sexual preference.   A suggestion 
of Al Jolson instead of Sonny Carson, how insulting?

It is your call folks, this madness will not stop until we all 
develop a mindset for action rather than apathy.  I am calling on all 
attorneys who can commit to some pro bono work, all folks who have 
time to man some phones to come together and create a hot line or 
call center so that people of color have a number to call to prevent 
improper and abusive arrests and going through that JUST US system 
without proper protection.  I am calling on all the progressive 
nonprofit agencies to donate some space and time including my own 
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture.   Legal advisors who can train 
and prepare our people as to their rights, how to deal with the 
police, etc.   I know there are probably some of these things in 
place, let me know so I can share and perhaps connect.   If not, what 
can we do as a people to protect our future.   Respect is earned, not 
given and we must fight back however we can.   Peace is power as long 
as it is used in a proactive manner.  Also, listen to WBAI, you can 
stop by Sista's Place on Jefferson off of Nostrand Ave.

Let me know, I am willing to work with folks who are committed to 
follow up and follow through.  Contact me at 
<mailto:LIfeandEthics53 at yahool.com>LIfeandEthics53 at yahool.com

Keep in mind, no justice -- no inner peace!

Nettie

[]

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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