The protests against police violence are great but need to be more targeted

[brush]

I posted this on GD but got only one response (not much interest, I guess).

Are there any other ideas for direct action to get results?

Since "no true bill" was delivered in both cases, jeopardy does not exist so reconvening the grand juries, with special prosecutors of course, would not constitute double jeopardy of Wilson or Pantaleo.

I say work to get the cases of those killers back before grand juries without the prosecutor shenanigans that went on in the first proceedings so that indictments can be reached.

Legal advisers, experienced activists and fund raisers can help with this.

I know this is the anti-thesis of the Occupy movement but there seems to be a need of an organizational structure that can formulate tactics to work towards concrete, targeted goals and not just the broad ideals of ending police violence towards people of color.

I don't think that we just have to accept that the grand juries have spoken and that there is no recourse against these two murderer cops.

Reconvening the grand juries can happen.

[Kalidurga]

1. We need to make systematic changes

One big change no more local DAs in charge of grand juries. They are in effect shutting down the indictment against cops no matter how much evidence is present against them.

We need to change the way policing is done in this country no more shoot first ask questions never.

The broken glass method of policing is a gross violation of individual civil rights and is in effect a war against the communities where those methods are employed.

We need to end economic injustice this piece isn't obviously linked but it's a huge problem underlying almost all police shootings even ones that don't on their face appear to be bad shoots.

We need to declare the war on drugs over, it's a war against people and it's the reason for so much police violence most of which barely makes local news let alone international.

There are probably a hundred other things that need to be changed or gotten rid of, I have no problem with people adding to this list.

[brush]

3. Good stuff

Anyone know how to start an online petition that we can send to congresspersons, the White House and the governors of Missouri and New York and the mayors of NYC and Ferguson?

[Kalidurga]

4. I have one I am working on. I wouldn't mind some help. I intend to have it forwarded to Harry Reid..

I think it needs 25,000 signatures. I know like 5 people lol. Anyway here is the body of the text part I am working on:


Our current system to hold officers accountable for shooting or otherwise killing civilians is inevective to curb police brutality cases. Recent events have given at least an appearance of a too cozy relationship between police officers and local DAs. We need a system where the local DA is not involved in matters where a police officer is involved in a brutality case or in a case where a civilian has been killed. All too often they are cases where it's shoot first ask questions never.

[gwheezie]

2. I would like independent prosecutors

Maybe there needs to be a separate and completely independent agency that investigates and prosecutes all police brutality cases. I don't see how we can continue to expect a symbiotic relationship between police and prosecutors to serve the rights of the people.