Police Brutality Case 01.12.10: Jordan Miles. Police Brutality Case 08.30.10: John T. Williams.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On The Block Radio," the show that takes a critical look at the criminal justice system.

On tonight's show, we will speak with Seattle activist, Fern Renville, about John T. Williams.

On August 30, 2010, John T. Williams was shot and killed as he walked down a Seattle street. He was a well-known woodcarver in the Seattle area, and minutes before he was killed, he was holding a knife that was 3 inches long--less than the minimum length that a knife needs to be to be considered illegal to carry in public.

He was 50 years old, a Native American, homeless, deaf, and many people believe a fatality of police brutality. Aspects of the incident were captured by a police car video camera. (Video of parts of the incident can be seen HERE.) On that video tape are heard shots being fired only four seconds after Williams was directed to drop the knife he was carrying. And according to Fern Renville, a community member actively involved in bringing about justice in this case, a medical examiners' report states that Williams appears to have been shot from the side, not from the front as one would have expected if he was lunging towards the officer with the knife.

An inquest into the case is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 10th.
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Then, we will talk with Brandi Fisher of the Alliance for Police Accountability about Jordan Miles.

On January 12, 2010, Jordan Miles, an 18 year-old senior at CAPA high school in Pittsburgh, where he was an honor student, was beaten up by police as he walked to his grandmother's house. Over the course of the attack, he was hit with a tree branch and patches of his neat locks were pulled from his hair, according to Brandi Fisher of the Justice for Jordan Miles Campaign and the Alliance for Police Accountability.

According to a statement published by Jordan Miles' family and posted on the Justice for Jordan Miles Campaign website, the police officers jumped out of their car near Miles, yelling, "Where’s the gun, where’s the money, where’s the drugs?” Because the officers were in plain clothes and their car was unmarked, Miles did not immediately assume that they were cops. Instead, he thought he was being robbed and began to run. When the cops overtook him, he was beaten, arrested and subsequently charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault, loitering and prowling at nighttime, escape and resisting arrest. Although all charges were subsequently thrown out, his face was badly swollen and he faces permanent nerve damage, and according to Brandi Fisher, still struggles emotionally as a result of what happened that night.

The one year anniversary of his brutalization by police will be marked by a vigil at 7:00pm at the site of the police attack: Tioga and Rosedale Street in Pittsburgh.

The Hole: Case 1.Russell Maroon Shoatz Seeks Release From Solitary Confinement After 21 Years.

Russell "Maroon" Shoatz, former black panther member, has been in solitary confinement for 21 years. The Pennsylvania Department Of Corrections has recommended that Russell "Maroon" Shoatz be released into the general prison population after spending 21 years in solitary confinement. However, family members say there is strong evidence to believe that Superintendent Folino may block efforts to release him. Shoatz hasn't had any infractions in the last 21 years. He is to appear before the Program Review Board on Jan 5, 2011, regarding the question of his release from solitary confinement.

We speak with the son and daughter of Russell "Maroon" Shoatz--Teresea Shoatz and Russell Shoatz III--about their father's situation.

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The family asks that individuals write the officials listed below or call their offices non-stop and request Russell "Maroon" Shoatz's release into the general prison population.

Superintendent Folino: Phone 724.852.2903.

Superintendent Folino's Addresss: 169 Progress Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370

Secretary of Pennsylvania Prisons, Shirley Moore Smeal Phone: 717-975-4918

To download a petition form letter, please CLICK HERE.

Georgia Prisoner Strike: Call for Vigilance

This is a call for folks connected to alternative media sources to check in with the Georgia DOC regarding the prisoners who have been identified by DOC officials as "conspirators" in the Georgia Prisoner Strike and subsequently moved to other prisons.

In a conversation with Elaine Brown on Thursday, Dec.23rd, she told us that officials informed her on December 17th that they had identified 37 conspirators in the prisoners' strike and had transported them to other prisons. They assured her that they would get the list of the names of the 37 prisoners to her. As of our conversation with her on Dec. 23rd, she had not received the list from the Georgia DOC.

Please assist in finding out who those 37 prisoners are and use your media access to help those concerned keep a "watch" over them to make sure they are not being abused.

Below are some contact numbers for Georgia prisons.

Thanks.
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Macon State Prison is (478) 472-3400.
Hays State Prison is at (706) 857-0400
Telfair State prison is (229) 868-7721
Baldwin State Prison is at (478) 445- 5218
Valdosta State Prison is (229) 245-6450
Smith State Prison is at (912) 654-5000

Police Brutality Case 11.27.10: Naimah Jones.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of On The Block Radio.

On today's show:

PA Prison Report Headlines.

-Prisoner transferred out of state in retaliation for filing grievances

-Continued solitary confinement torture at SCI Coal Township

Interview.

On today's show, we continue our documentation of police brutality incidents occurring in the United States with this post of an interview with Inas Shabazz about the recent acts of police brutality against her sister, Naimah Jones, on November 27th.  In the early hours of the second day after Thanksgiving, Naimah Jones was choked, thrown to the concrete, and tasered several times in front of her home in North Philadelphia as her children looked on.  Her sister asserts that Naimah did not physically resist arrest and the attacks were unjustified.

The attacks were preceded by a verbal exchange between Naimah and a police officer regarding the children she had left locked in her car as went into her home to retrieve some items.

She is facing felony assault charges.  Her sister, Inas Shabazz, tells the story. 

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Portland and Homeland Security: An Interview with Dan Hendelman of Portland Copwatch.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of On The Block Radio.

On today's show:

PA Prison Report Headlines.

-Historic prisoners' strike in Georgia shuts down six prisons

-Jailhouse lawyer held in freezing cell; stripped of legal property in solitary confinement

Interview.

In the wake of the arrest of 18-year-old Somali-born Mohamed Osman Mohamud on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in Portland, we speak with Dan Hendelman of Portland Copwatch about:

--Portland's status as a city that has rejected becoming a partner of the FBI in its National Joint Terrorism Task Force

--recent FBI surveillance of Hendelman and Portland Copwatch

--the fear that the arrest of Mohamud might lead to a stronger collusion between the FBI and local Portland police in future law enforcement efforts in the city.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Georgia Prison Strike. Interview with Elaine Brown.

On December 9, 2010, prisoners in several Georgia prisons began a peaceful strike in order to pressure prison administrators to meet the following list of demands:

· A LIVING WAGE FOR WORK: In violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting slavery andinvoluntary servitude, the DOC demands prisoners work for free.

· EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: For the great majority of prisoners, the DOC denies all opportunities for education beyond the GED, despite the benefit to both prisoners and society.

· DECENT HEALTH CARE: In violation of the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments, the DOC denies adequate medical care to prisoners, charges excessive fees for the most minimal care and is responsible for extraordinary pain and suffering.

· AN END TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS: In further violation of the 8th Amendment, the DOC is responsible for cruel prisoner punishments for minor infractions of rules.

· DECENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Georgia prisoners are confined in over-crowded, substandard conditions, with little heat in winter and oppressive heat in summer.

· NUTRITIONAL MEALS: Vegetables and fruit are in short supply in DOC facilities while starches and fatty foods are plentiful.

· VOCATIONAL AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The DOC has stripped its facilities of all opportunities for skills training, self-improvement and proper exercise.

· ACCESS TO FAMILIES: The DOC has disconnected thousands of prisoners from their families by imposing excessive telephone charges and innumerable barriers to visitation.

· JUST PAROLE DECISIONS: The Parole Board capriciously and regularly denies parole to the majority of prisoners despite evidence of eligibility.

After final assessments are made, this may be the largest prison strike in United States history. The strike was orchestrated largely through the use of cell phones, according to Elaine Brown, former chairman of the Black Panther Party, founder of the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform, and one of the contact persons for information on developments in the strike listed on a press release.

Elaine Brown is interviewed about the strike one day after it had begun. She begins the interview by reading a text message sent to her from one of the Georgia prisoners in which the goals and the make-up of the strikers are stated.

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Expressions of solidarity with the prisoners can be made to the various prisons at the numbers listed below or through the Georgia Department of Corrections website and/or main number:

Macon State Prison is (478) 472-3400.

Hays State Prison is at (706) 857-0400

Telfair State prison is 229-868-7721

Baldwin State Prison is at (478) 445- 5218

Valdosta State Prison is (229) 245-6450

Smith State Prison is at (912) 654-5000

The Georgia Department of Corrections is at http://www.dcor.state.ga.us and their phone number is 478-992-5246

To Learn more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/us/12prison.html

http://blackagendareport.com/?q=content%2Fga-prisoner-strike-continues-second-day-corporate-media-mostly-ignores-them-corrections-offi

http://hiphopandpolitics.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/day-3-of-historic-prison-strike-in-georgia-blacked-out-by-media-guards-committing-violence/

A Sunday update to this story will be posted at Black Agenda Report , about 9AM EST.

Interview with Rich Garella, Co-producer of the Film, "Who Killed Chea Vichea."

This is an interview with Rich Garella, co-producer of the independent film Who Killed Chea Vichea.

In early 2004, Chea Vichea, a prominent labor rights activist, was murdered in the streets of Cambodia outside of a newspaper stand. Afterwards, two young Cambodian men were arrested and charged with Chea's murder. Many believe, based on the lack of convincing evidence of their guilt, that they were framed for Chea's murder.

The two men were sentenced to 20 years in prison, and the prime minister, Hun Seng, who was up for re-election at the time of Chea's murder, was elected prime minister for another term. Many believe Chea's assassination and the incarceration of two young men for his murder were carried out at the behest of the prime minister in an effort to maintain his hold on power in Cambodia.

Over the course of the interview, Cambodia history and politics are discussed in an effort to give context to Chea's murder and the subsequent alleged frame-up of the two men. As well, in relationship to the central concern of "On the Block Radio" show--the United States criminal justice system--comparisons are made between the unethical behavior of police in Cambodia and that of police in the United States.

Update on the Askia Sabur Case. Interview with Tanya Hamilton, Director of "Night Catches Us."

Thanks for joining us for another edition on On The Block Radio, the show that takes a critical look at our criminal justice system.  

On tonight's show:

The Human Rights Coalition Pennsylvania Prison Report with these headlines:

- Pittsburgh march honors wrongful death of pregnant prisoner

- HRC censored by SCI Coal Township

- Possible negligence by Virginia prison in PA prisoner's death

 Next, we will talk with Shesheena Bray of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality about the recent court hearing of police brutality victim, Askia Sabur, and upcoming events of the Coalition's anti-police brutality campaign.   Askia Sabur is a young African American male who was caught on video being beaten outside of a Chinese restaurant on September 3rd by police officers from Philadelphia's 19th Police District. According to reports, he was beaten with night sticks in his head until blood spilled onto the sidewalk, resulting in Askia receiving 6 head-staples, a neck-brace, multiple back injuries, a broken arm and other physical and emotional damage. He is also reported to be currently suffering from memory loss.

In the video footage of the attack that can be found on YouTube, Askia is seen surrounded by four cops and being beaten by one with a night stick. Throughout the extent of the video, he is sitting on the sidewalk as he is being beaten, with the exception of two moments in which he is lying or kneeling on the ground.

Askia Sabur appeared in court on Wednesday, December 1st for another preliminary hearing in his case.  Shesheena tells us what took place during that hearing and what's next on the agenda for the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality in its efforts to make the police department accountable for its acts of brutality against Askia and others in Philadelphia.

Finally, we will speak with Tanya Hamilton the writer, director, and co-producer of Night Catches Us, a film set in Philadelphia in the 1970s which looks at how one neighborhood in the Germantown section of Philadelphia grapples with its memories of the Black Panther Party and the relationships that it forged and tore apart.  I spoke with her by phone from her home in Philadelphia.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

FBI Informant-Directed Movie Coming to a 'Hood Near You.

Special Post.

This montage on post-9/11 FBI use of informants in the United States was inspired by the cases of the Fort Dix 5, the Newburgh 4, and most recently the case of Mohamed Osman Mohamud.

Song:

Jill Scott/Watching Me.
Spoken Voices:

U.S.A. newscasters.

employee at the NYU Center on Law and Society.

a former FBI Agent.

a former FBI director.

iman of the New York mosque visited by defendants in the Newburgh 4 case.

an aunt of one of the Newburgh 4 defendants.

Be careful of unauthorized movies being made in your 'hood.

Don't let them derail your revolutionary phenomena....channelling discontentment with American society into ugly acts of terror.

Note.
The People at On the Block Radio do not endorse Mr. Mohamud's intentions and actions. However, we are wary of the manner in which the FBI was involved in this case, as well as other recent cases in which United States citizens were arrested on charges of terrorism.

Update on the Askia Sabur Police Brutality Case: Interview with Askia's Sister, Naimah Wilson

On today's show, we will look again at the movement against police brutality that has been re-focused recently on the case of Askia Sabur, a young African American male who was caught on video being beaten outside of a Chinese restaurant on September 3rd by police officers from Philadelphia's 19th Police District. According to reports, he was beaten with night sticks in his head until blood spilled onto the sidewalk, resulting in Askia receiving 6 head-staples, a neck-brace, multiple back injuries, a broken arm and other physical and emotional damage. He is also reported to currently be suffering from memory loss.

In the video footage of the attack that can be found on YouTube, Askia is seen surrounded by four cops and being beaten by one with a night stick. Throughout the extent of the video, he is sitting on the sidewalk as he is being beaten, with the exception of two moments in which he is lying or kneeling on the ground.

In a recent interview, Askia's older sister, Naimah Wilson, updates us on Askia's recovery and on the efforts of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality to build a movement against police brutality in Philadelphia and to make the police department accountable for their acts of violence against Askia.

RECENT EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CASE.
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Preliminary Hearing (Third and Last Scheduled. Not all police officers showed up to the
first two):

Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 8:00am (usually the hearings do not begin until about 9:00am)
Place: The Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center (CJC) at 13th and Filbert
Room 703
Contact: weareaskia@hotmail.com or info@acapb.com.

Weekly Planning Meetings of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality (ACAPB):

Date: Every Monday
Time: 6:00pm
Place: The Conestoga Community Center
5301 Media Street (West Philadelphia)
Contact: weareaskia@hotmail.com or info@acapb.com.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.