Community

Protesters Rally for Justice for Yuvette Henderson

Published

9 years ago

April 17, 2015

Over 100 people joined a roving protest this week to demand that Emeryville businesses release video footage related to the police shooting of Yuvette Henderson.

The protest on April 12 began with a vigil for Henderson at the corner of 34th and Hollis streets in front of the Extra Space Storage where she was killed. Activists said surveillance video from the storage facility might have answers to what happened in the disputed final moments of Henderson’s life.

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On Feb. 3, Emeryville Police officers Michelle Shephard and Warren Williams shot at the 38-year-old Oakland mother at least seven times, with Officer Williams firing six shots with an AR-15, a militarized weapon.

Minutes earlier, Home Depot security guards allegedly caught her shoplifting from the store. Activists have said the guards assaulted her inside the store.

In an audiotape of a 911 call released by police, a security guard claims Henderson pulled out a revolver before fleeing to West Oakland. One witness told news outlets Henderson tried to flag down an AC Transit bus.

According to police, Henderson then attempted to carjack three motorists. When police arrived, they say she pointed a gun at them. Officer Williams had a body camera, but did not turn it on until after the shooting.

Oakland Police have been charged with investigating the shooting death since it occurred within city limits.

During the protest, Henderson’s brother and sister, Jamison Henderson and Antrinette Jenkins, along with family members of other victims of police violence, shared their stories while supporters held signs reading, “Release the Tapes” and “We Want Answers.”

“It was an overkill,” said Jenkins, Henderson’s older sister. “Seven shots was too many. One shot was too many.”

“I’m missing my sister, grieving her. It’s unlimited and everlasting,” she said.

As protesters proceeded to Home Depot, police and security closed the doors upon their arrival.

“Locking innocent shoppers into a store is no way to handle peaceful protesters,” said Mollie Costello, executive director of the Alan Blueford Center for Justice.

Henderson’s sister delivered a letter to Home Depot and Extra Space Storage demanding that they release surveillance footage to the family.

Protesters continued to rally down San Pablo Ave. towards Oakland Police headquarters, blocking traffic on Broadway for 40 minutes. A line of Oakland police awaited their arrival at the corners of 8^th St. and Broadway.

Jeralynn Brown-Blueford, whose son Alan Blueford was killed by Oakland police officer Miguel Masso nearly three years ago, joined the protest in support of Henderson’s family.

Cat Brooks of the Anti-Police Terror Project called on Oakland Police to release footage from Home Depot. “We know that inside of Home Depot, Yuvette was assaulted. She was so injured that an ambulance was called,” Brooks said. “Yuvette’s family has a right to know what happened to her.”

After calling on one of the officers to accept the letter from the family, Lt. Brandon Wehrly received the letter from Henderson’s sister Antrinette.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

4 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.