[Ppnews] Oakland Community demands justice and accountability for Oscar Grant protesters

[Political Prisoner News]

For Immediate Release
December 4, 
2009
Contact:  Helia Rasti 650.520.4363
Oakland Community Demands Accountability
Court Support Continues for People Arrested 
Demonstrating Against Oscar Grant’s Murder


What: Community support for people facing felonies from Oscar Grant protests
When: December 7th & December 14th, 2009, 8 A.M.
Where: Alameda County Superior Court, 1225 Fallon St, Court Room 11
Who: Plan for a Safer Oakland


Oakland, CA – Nearly one year after the murder of 
Oscar Grant III by BART police, Oakland community 
members and organizations continue their support 
for three people with remaining felony charges 
stemming from arrests during the Oscar Grant 
protests in January. Supporters will gather 
outside the court house at 8:00 am on December 7 
and December 14th, where JR Valrey and Holly Noll 
are still facing felony charges for their 
participation in last winter’s demonstrations against Grant’s murder.

“Dropping charges against the protesters is part 
of widespread community efforts to keep pressure 
and attention on a range of demands around law 
enforcement in Oakland,” said Manuel La Fontaine, 
a member of Plan for a Safer Oakland, which is a 
coalition of community members and organizations 
demanding amnesty for all people arrested during 
the Oscar Grant demonstrations.  “Police violence 
against people of color, particularly young 
people of color, is a direct result of the 
criminalization of our communities. We must 
express our anger and organize for just, healthy, 
and sustainable communities that don't rely on policing.”

“The police have no evidence against me.  This is 
clearly a political case,” says JR Valrey, an 
independent journalist who was arrested while 
covering the street protest last January 
7th.  The Oakland Police Department has refused 
to release JR’s camera, which they confiscated as 
evidence during his arrest. “My real crime in the 
eyes of the government was covering the people of 
Oakland's outrage to the police murder of Oscar 
Grant and lack of city government's response.”

Plan for a Safer Oakland is focused around a 
three point plan, which demands re-entry support 
and services for people returning from prison; 
investment in people, not prisons or police; and 
support for Oakland youth who continue to be 
targeted and criminalized by the police. More 
information about Plan for a Safer Oakland can be 
found at <http://www.criticalresistance.org/>www.criticalresistance.org.

Visuals will be available for photo 
opportunities, including colorful signs and banners.



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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