Crime

OP-ED: Ferguson and Michael Brown

Published

10 years ago

September 5, 2014

It was with a heavy heart that I watched the events unfold in Ferguson, Missouri.

You hear it in the news – another young African American shot – but usually his name is left out of the headlines or the story completely – another statistic, a fact but not a face.

But not this time.

In Ferguson, a predominantly black city of 21,000 residents where two out of the 55 police officers are African American, the people rose up in protest after an unarmed Michael Brown, just 18 years old, was shot and killed.

Peaceful protests became violent protests, and the SWAT teams and armored guards added fuel to the sorrow, grief, anger and outrage.

Ferguson became a war-zone.

It’s through anger and pain that cities around the country are crying out – it doesn’t have to be this way.

From Oscar Grant to Trayvon Martin to Michael Brown, we need this to end. But we need to do more than talk to each other. We need more than tears, even more than outrage. We need concrete action and we need it every day.

So what can we do?

First, we need to support those who stand up for equal rights for all people. If you are not a member of the ACLU, PowerPAC, the NAACP, the National Council of La Raza, the Asian Law Caucus or other organizations fighting for civil rights and equal justice, please consider joining and supporting.

Second, we need to make sure that every police department reflects the communities they serve. The immediate de-escalation of violence after the state police took control of the situation was not an accident.

The officer put in charge was a neighbor – born and raised in Ferguson – and knew the community and came not to occupy, but to protect. We need to look beyond Ferguson, and look at ourselves.

Even in our own towns, we have a long way to go to make sure our police departments reflect our communities. That’s why creating special training, support and incentives for diversity within law enforcement will be one of my priorities in the State Assembly.

And most of all, we need to understand that the way to stop violence is with peace, justice, jobs and support for all of those caught in its grip.

An officer shooting an unarmed young man is a terrible tragedy. But so is a young man shot by another young man. And that’s the kind of tragedy that is not distant news from Ferguson, as compelling as that news may be.

That tragedy plays out on our streets nearly every night.

I’ve dedicated my career and my life to working with struggling youth and their families – as a city council member, school board member, lifelong youth mentor, nonprofit leader and social worker.

And I know there is hope for every child.

I have seen firsthand – through programs I’ve helped create, like CEO Youth, which is creating entrepreneurial opportunities for teens who are truant or on the path to dropping out of school, and various mentorship programs – that when you give kids a chance with a great education, job training, guidance and engagement, you can change their course from likely to fail to likely to succeed.

Our country cannot bear to see another black youth gunned down in the street, and as a community, we must do everything we can to create a pipeline of opportunities so more children have a greater chance at a successful, healthy life. And I will fight every single day to get it right for kids and families.

Tony Thurmond

Tony Thurmond is a candidate for the California Assembly, District 15.

Oakland Post

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Justice for Henry Texada

Henry Texada was known as a leader, a role model, godfather, and a friend to all. He enjoyed mentoring younger members of his family and participants at the Boys and Girls Club. He was always giving and present in the lives of others with a kind word or suggestion. Henry used the skills gained at Youth Radio as a digital media photographer to inspire others. He wanted to learn as much as he could to be a supportive person for youth, so he enrolled at Laney College for the fall of 2020 for classes in Early Childhood Development. He was killed when several people exited a 2020 silver Nissan Armada and shot him around 2 p.m. on April 28, 2020, on 68th Avenue in East Oakland.

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Henry Texada was 23 when he was slain in 2020. Courtesy photo.

Family Seeks Justice for Murdered Son on Fourth Anniversary of His Death

Special to The Post

Henry used the skills gained at Youth Radio as a digital media photographer to inspire others. He wanted to learn as much as he could to be a supportive person for youth, so he enrolled at Laney College for the fall of 2020 for classes in Early Childhood Development.

He was killed when several people exited a 2020 silver Nissan Armada and shot him around 2 p.m. on April 28, 2020, on 68^th Avenue in East Oakland. Police were able to recover the vehicle, which had been rented in Reno, Nev., but have been unable to solve the case.

Henry’s senseless murder continues to deeply impact his loved ones who are suffering from his loss.

“I hate the phrase passed away or died,” his mother says. “My son, Henry, was very protective of me, and we had a bond that could not be broken. I miss him so much.

“I hate April 28th because I feel Henry should be here, because he had a purpose helping others and working with youth. He was physically strong and had a plan, goals, and dreams. Henry had a smile that would light up the room. He is a wonderful son, brother, and uncle.”

“Instead of imploring you for information and help, I should be telling you about all the things he has achieved and all the people that he touched,” his mother said. “But instead, here I am praying for justice because a person who would take the shirt off his back for others was murdered.

“There is no word to describe this everyday pain for me. I expect him to text me at any moment because his favorite saying was “don’t say bye, say see you later.” It’s four years later and I can’t physically hold him,” his mother comcluded.

The Family Support Advocates join with Henry Texada’s grieving family and loved ones in their pursuit of justice. Anyone in the community with information about Henry’s murder is asked to contact the Homicide Section of the Oakland Police Department at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950. CrimeStoppers of Oakland is offering a reward for an arrest in this case. #JusticeforHenry.

FAMILY SUPPORT ADVOCACY TASK FORCE

The mission of the Family Support Advocacy Task Force, a committee of the Violence Prevention Coalition, is to advocate for local, state and federal policies and legislation to enhance and expand support to families and friends of those who experienced violence; for more compassionate and transparent communication between law enforcement, the district attorney with the family of homicide victims and to push for the elimination of all violence, but particularly gun violence and homicides.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.