Fwd: Mobilize Solidarity -- Cincinnati Write-up

[Yoshie Furuhashi]

>Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 08:38:34 EDT
>Reply-To: OpenMinds9 at aol.com
>Sender: owner-serj at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
>To: <columbusnetwork at listbot.com>, <cusas at listbot.com>, 
><serj at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>, <radicalartsgathering at yahoo.com>
>Subject: CALL TO MOBILIZE SOLIDARITY, Cincinnati Write-up
>
>THE FOLLOWING IS A WRITE-UP COLLABORATED BY VARIOUS CITIZENS OF 
>CINCINNATI, OHIO.  PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL, DISTRIBUTE WIDELY 
>(apologies for cross posting), SPREAD THE WORD, SHOW YOUR 
>SOLIDARITY, MOBILIZE!
>
>Since 1995, fourteen black men have been murdered by the Cincinnati 
>Ohio police, four of which have occured since November 2000.  One of 
>those four, Roger Ownesbury, was murdered when officers thought he 
>"looked like someone they were looking for."  Witnesses reported 
>that the officers handcuffed Roger, picked him up by his arms and 
>slammed his head and neck into the concrete.  Reports say that 
>chemical irritants were used, but that he died of asfictiation of 
>unknown causes.  On Saturday, April 7th, 2001, another unarmed young 
>black male was added to that total.  Around 2 a.m., nineteen year 
>old Timothy Thomas was murdered by Officer Roach of the Cincinnati 
>police.
>
>From the police car video tape, Officer Roach is shown runnning at 
>full speed when he shot and killed Timothy in a dead end ally. 
>Timothy was being chased because the officer recognized him as 
>having fourteen warrents out for his arrest, all of which were 
>misdimeanor traffic infractions(a point that the mainstream media 
>and police fail to address).
>
>Today, April 12th, five days after Timothy's murder, the streets of 
>Cincinnati are still filled with protestors looking for answers and 
>justice.  Over the last three days, a number of businesses have been 
>looted and some set to fire.  Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken, the 
>mainstream media, City Council members, as well as many others, see 
>no connection between those in the streets today, and those who were 
>in City Council chambers Monday, the 9th, demanding answers to 
>Saturday's shooting.
>
>After receiving no solutions or answers from city officials, folks 
>have gone to the streets to hit Cincinnati where they will feel it 
>the most -- "the pocketbook."  What we have been seeing on the 
>streets is a direct result of the racism that exists in city 
>policies and government.  If Cincinnati officials were committed to 
>resolving any of these issues, they would have called for an 
>immediate community forum to address the recent shooting, the 
>ongoing racist policies, and the relations between the police and 
>community.  Instead, Mayor Luken walked out of the city council 
>meeting on Monday, the 9th, and cancelled a city council meeting for 
>Wednesday the 11th.
>
>Mayor Luken did not declare a state of emergency until later 
>Wednesday night when a police officer was shot (but not killed or 
>even wounded).  The Mayor then called for the protection of the city 
>streets and the citizens, with the possibility of activating the 
>national guard.  The question needs to be asked, for whom is he 
>establishing protection for?  There is no coincidence that a state 
>of emergency was not called when Timothy Thomas was shot and killed. 
>The Mayor and other elected city officials have called the current 
>protestors, "thugs and a threat to the safety of Cincinnati's 
>citizens."  Once again, the question is, which citizens?  Mayor 
>Luken has not described the police department as thugs or a threat 
>to the citizens of Cincinnati.  It should not be easy to overlook 
>the fact that the police force has admitted to racial profiling, and 
>many citizens from Cincinnati communities have and continue to 
>testify to numerous accounts of excessive force, violence, 
>aggression, and intimidation used by the police.
>
>So, what to do?
>*  Stop the silence! Spread the word! We need to stand in solidarity 
>for those fighting for justice!
>*  MOBILIZE TO CINCINNATI, THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 14TH!!!  Various 
>communities have called for solidarity and to protest police 
>violence.  The Black United Front in Cincinnati will be holding a 
>rally at Findlay Market in Over the Rhine, Cincinnati at 2pm this 
>Saturday, April 14th -- immediately after Timothy Thomas's funeral. 
>Call voicemall number 614.823.4100 for details. (Check voicemail 
>frequently, please be patient with access to information)
>*  Send $ to the Memorial Fund for Timothy Thomas.  All funds will 
>go towards funeral expenses and the rest will go towards Timothy's 3 
>month old son.  Please send to: 5/3 Bank, 705 Central Ave., 
>Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.  Make checks out to 5/3 Bank with the Memo 
>line: Timothy Thomas Memorial Fund.
>*  Call Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken and City Hall -- let them 
>know that racist politics, police brutality, and continous social 
>and economic injustice will not be tolerated!!!  Mayor Charlie 
>Luken: 513.352.3250 City Hall:513.352.5200
>
>
>FOR UPDATES AND PHOTOS, SEE:
>
>CINCINOW
>http://www.cincinow.com
>OHIO VALLEY INDYMEDIA
>http://ohiovalleyimc.org
>CHANNEL CINCINATI
>http://www.channelcincinnati.com