Sights, Sounds & Insights From Yesterday’s Pro-Johannes Mehserle Rally

So yesterday we had the big show down in Walnut Creek, California.. where supporters of killer cop Johannes Mehserle decided to throw a rally to show support. This is in spite of his involuntary manslaughter conviction, his violent past and the fact that fellow law enforcement officers found his former employer BART was negligent in how they trained officers and how they handled events the night Oscar Grant was killed by Mehserle. Check out the following reports for better understanding..NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) and the Meyer Nave Investigation.

The fact that you did have law enforcement officers out there supporting Mehserle in spite of his negligence shows you just how strong the ‘Stop Snitching’ Rule is within the ranks of law enforcement. There’s an old saying, don’t ask people to do what you aren’t willing to do yourself and the fact that every single police union in the state of California came out to back Mehserle including raising funds for his defense and we did not see any ‘good’ officers speak out against his horrific actions speaks volumes.

It was also interesting when Mehserle’s father Todd showed up.. His reputation leaves a lot to be desired. Here’s some insight into this character http://sfist.com/2009/01/12/todd_mehserles_angry_internet_histo.php His sordid past represents some of what took place yesterday in which racial epithets were hurled at Oscar Grant supporters. Bay Area film maker Moon Cricket will be posting all that later this week. It will no doubt be an eye opener for Bay Area folks showing us just how deep seated racism is here in the liberal Bay Area.

Below are some of the sights and sounds from yesterday’s rally..Here’s an excerpt from my boy Black Hour Reporter  Reginald James

A rally staged in support of former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle in Walnut Creek Monday afternoon drew hundreds of protesters, dozens of journalists and photographers and plenty of police.

But instead of the 100 Mehserle supporters, gathered in the parking lot between the Contra Costa Superior Court building and the Buttercup restaurant, being greeting by a stage, podium or speakers, they were met by counter-protesters demanding Justice for Oscar Grant. Mehserle was convicted July 8 of involuntary manslaughter in the 2009 shooting of Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland.

Pro-Mehserle and law enforcement protesters held signs like, “Free Mehserle,” “If U Don’t Like Police Officers, Next Time You Need Help, Call a MethHead.”

Shortly after 2 p.m. (when the rally was to begin) the number of counter-protesters began to swell. Demonstrators held signs that read, “Jail Killer Cops” and “Justice for Oscar Grant.” The street was filled with protesters standing in the street along Ygnacio Valley Road, until police in riot gear forced protesters back onto the sidewalk. Businesses on the street had been closed since shortly after 1 p.m..

For much of the rally, demonstrators yelled back and forth as each other and accusations of racism abounded, but there were also strong dialogues between people on all sides.

continue reading his coverage here: http://theblackhour.blogspot.com/2010/07/mehserle-rally-in-walnut-creek-causes.html

This link below will take you to one of the most insightful exchanges all day.. I wish they posted this on Youtube so more people could see and hear it..

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1473851879717&ref=mf

Click HERE to see this video from Pro- Mehserle

Below is an intense interview conducted by fellow Oakland journalist Pendarvis Harshaw and one of the few Black Pro-Mehserle supporters Kevin Thomas. Not sure if Thomas is a cop, but many members of his family are and to that degree to hear his over-the-top generalizations about the people who live in Oakland is disturbing especially if his law enforcement family hold the same views.  What’s even more troubling is his assessment of politicians who stand against the police. Pay close attention to what he says about City Council member Rebecca Kaplan in particular take a listen to the swipe he takes at Kaplan’s sexual orientation. Kaplan’s running for mayor of Oakland and has now has a formidable enemy in the form of law enforcement if Kevin Thomas rep’s the line of thinking many officers may have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYiIncW0DPU&feature=player_embedded

Here’s another scene where demonstrators get on ground re-acting what took place the night Grant was shot. They are laying face down on the ground asking not to be shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56x8EYo8wug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRw9JgaJdI4

One of the more humorous moments came when local activist comedian W. Kamau Bell alerted us to the other Black Mehserle supporter.. His picture was posted on line and folks went to work with their tongue and cheek remarks including this Top Ten list from Oakland resident Harold Lowe

10) He wasn’t really black; he looked like a white dude in blackface
9) He thought Mehserle was malt liquor or an exotic drink like Hypnotiq
8) He wants him out of jail so he can beat his ass
7) He is running for Mayor of Walnut Creek
6) Someone is holding his baby’s momma hostage
5) Republicans will cut off his unemployment unless he does this
4) His brother is breaking in all their cars while they read the sign
3) Mehserle is his bitch and he wants him back
2) He’s a sellout…or a Republican…sorry, I am being redundant
1) It’s the best way to meet white women

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