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From: Chamba Notes <chambanotes@earthlink.net><br>
Subject: Warren Update #4<br>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:40:39 -0400<br><br>
<br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>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.<br>
SB<br><br>
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?<br><br>
<br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
These are probably not word for word quotes, but I remember what I heard
quite distinctly.<br><br>
<br>
The incident was explained so vividly by Mr. Warren: <br><br>
<br>
<i>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.<br><br>
</i> <br>
<i>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.<br><br>
</i> <br>
The indicent explained so vividly by Mrs. Warren:<br><br>
<br>
<i>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.<br><br>
</i> <br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
The key here is that 300 determined but peaceful people showed up and the
Warrens did go through the JUST US horrible system. <br><br>
<br>
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. <br>
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!<br><br>
<br>
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? <br><br>
<br>
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?<br><br>
<br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
Let me know, I am willing to work with folks who are committed to follow
up and follow through. Contact me at
</font><a href="mailto:LIfeandEthics53@yahool.com">
<font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2 color="#001DE0">
LIfeandEthics53@yahool.com</a><br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2> <br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=4><b>Keep in mind, no justice
-- no inner peace!<br><br>
</b></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2> <br>
Nettie<br><br>
<br><br>
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