Jayson Tirado was murdered a cop who a Grand Jury refused to even indict

MARCH & RALLY
to Express Outrage at Grand Jury Failure to Indict Detective who Killed JAYSON TIRADO!

On Monday, July 14, 2008 at 3:30pm, The Justice Committee and elected officials will join the fiancé, daughter, family and friends of Jayson Tirado, an unarmed motorist who was shot and killed by off-duty New York City Detective Sean Sawyer last October, in a march from the home Jayson once shared with his family to the office of the Manhattan District Attorney at 1 Hogan Place.

We will express our outrage and indignation over the decision by a grand jury to not indict Detective Sean Sawyer, who fled the scene after murdering Jayson, and the District Attorney's failure to investigate this killing in a timely manner.

When:
Monday, July 14th

Where:

• 3:30pm - Gather to march: 12th Street and Ave D
• 5:00pm - Rally at DA's office: 1 Hogan Place (across the street from the Criminal Courthouse)

We encourage everyone to show their support by marching along side Jayson's family. Those who can't make it to the march please meet us at the DA's office at 5pm.

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Directions to the march location: Take the L, N, R, Q, W, F, 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 14th Street and transfer onto the M14 C or D bus to 10th Street and Ave D and walk two blocks to 12th Street.

Directions to the DA's office: Take the 4, 5, 6, J, M, or Z to the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall or the N or R to City Hall. Q or W to Canal. Organized by the Justice Committee and the family and friends of Jayson Tirado

The story we are hearing is that group Rodstarz and G1 were up in Bronx on Southern Blvd in Hunts Point, when they noticed the police were harassing a street vendor who was selling fruit. The two went over to witness the cops in action and when they saw the police being abusive they pulled out a cell phone to video tape the incident and asked for the officers badge numbers. Keep in mind that part of the Bronx has a large immigrant community and it is also being gentrified. The police from the 41st Precint have made it a point to commit acts of terror including the shooting and killing of an unarmed immigrant man last year. The case brought up images of Amadou Diallo another immigrant was gunned down by out of control Bronx cops in the neighboring precint.

According to witnesses, when Rodstarz and G1 asked for badge numbers the police became agitated and turned around and started beating them with bully clubs and kicking them in full view of other vendors and people on the crowded street. The two were dragged off bloody, put into a police car and charged with resisting arrest and assault.

The backdrop to this story is that Rebel Diaz are not your ordinary rappers. They are well known activist who not only speak out against police terrorism, but have been key in helping out folks within this immigrant community. Hence it would not be usual for group members to bear witness and to speak out against the injustices. Rebel Diaz has committed themselves to given voice to the voiceless in that Bronx neighborhood.

click to download the press release (PDF)

Peoples' Justice, Coalition of NYC-based Grassroots Anti-Police Brutality Organizations, Launches City-Wide CopWatch at 1 Police Plaza

June 12, 2008, New York, NY – Peoples' Justice, a coalition of New York City grassroots organizations formed to combat police violence and misconduct, launched a city-wide Copwatch program today. The CopWatch program involves groups of people monitoring police activity in neighborhoods that are heavily policed by the NYPD. The monitoring involves videotaping police actions with the goal of preventing police misconduct, as well as documenting abuses in an effort to insure accountability. PJ's CopWatch program will also focus on informing New Yorkers on their rights through Know Your Rights trainings that will offer practical advice on how to deal with police encounters. In addition, PJ will offer training to residents on how to form their own neighborhood CopWatch-style programs. The program, a multi-racial, multi-gendered effort, will begin immediately in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with plans to employ teams in the remaining boroughs in July.

click to download the press release (PDF)

NYPD Announces Operation Torch on Same Day Judge Gave a Pass to Cops in 50-shot Death of Sean Bell

Peoples’ Justice Denounces New Program

May 14, 2008, New York – On Friday, April 25, 2008, the NYPD announced their latest effort in so-called "terrorism" prevention – Operation Torch. In this new federally-funded program, NYPD officers will be equipped with automatic assault rifles and bomb-sniffing dogs and will patrol subways and platforms. In addition, the money received from the federal government will be used to buy the latest in surveillance technology, including new surveillance cameras. Peoples' Justice – a coalition of grassroots groups organizing against police violence – issued the following statement denouncing the new program: