I attended a meeting of a coalition of Philadelphia community based activists, organizers, and concerned citizens locally throughout Philly recently. We were there to discuss how to deal with the injustices facing the continuing, unresolved, and horrible police incident following the shooting of the unarmed man Brandon Tate Brown. Strategies were put into place. Dialogue was being held at a very productive commons. Framework was being established in staging protests, actions, planning, and further execution, to create a public demand to bring the k**er cops responsible for Browns d**h.
One of the activists turning points in addressing the Philadelphia Police, was coming at hand with State Rep Mark Cohen, Commissioner Charles Ramsey, and other authoritative law officials, when they made a public appearance at Lawncrest Recreational Center to address police community relations. I was fully supportive of all the activists stances that they would take in attending, participating, and making their presences felt at this meeting. The voices of public demand had to be addressed. Accountability, by way of justice needed to be sought out. For the people that the police swore to protect, had every right to have their questions and concerns answered surrounding the injustice that the department had created.
Then, the meeting happened. And depending on what side of bearing witness to the media reports, whether you were there or not, or wherever you stand in the matters of community policing; if you heard about what happened, you have an opinion, viewpoint or take into how things concluded that evening. I question the validity, of the presses degree of hostility, stated on behalf of the activists and protesters. I sat in that meeting prior to any of those people making plans to attend. There was no evident feeling, intention, or angle into any individual provoking violent sentiments towards the police. Philadelphia's major news networks implicating, pointing fingers, and blame spreading tactics about the protesters motives have many inaccuracies contained throughout their own accounts.
I was relieved to see the statements, relief support, and ample timing of known comrades and a**ociates in the heat of battle so to speak. There was a groundswell of press clarity and those who stood with the individuals who were arrested never left their sides until they were released. In reading, witnessing, and seeing multi leveled supportive foundations through the difficult scenario, I had no choice but to waver on these levels of credibility and fact reporting, as they provided the more detailed insight into what transpired that evening at the recreational center.
As of now, all those that have been arrested have been released. The police commissioner has put his foot in his mouth with several press quotes pertaining to the matter. And life as we know it would appear to go back to normal.. right? This issue is far from over. What spurned the intensity of the mentioned protesters, was the lack of revealing who the cops were that took Brandon Tate Browns life. In my view, this looks like a department favoring the minor ranks of their own over the majority that is looking to get a revelation of transparent, sound, and equal justice.
The activists that have made the news and have been in the press, need to keep the visible identity going. It is always a loss when momentum falls out, when causes don't maintain momentous pursuit, or when the cause of uproar stalls at a halt. There are legal officials that need to be allocated in my mind. Lawyers, legal authorities, and people that have an influential say behind bringing people before court to be tried accordingly. There are consistent campaigns, external community efforts, and a hand of protection everywhere to be offered, to all populations of youth, young, black, and defenseless in this city. We that stand against injustice have to let the ones that think no one will stand with them, that there are people out here, that have their backs genuinely.
Once this much is rolling and accomplished, we can see the trial that we hope and we're fighting for to take place. And then and only then, can we see the rightful justice being served down upon those that abuse the powers of the law.