The People's Tribunal Against Police Brutality and Misconduct in Philly [Audio]

[kamille]

A SHORT RADIO PIECE: THE PEOPLE'S TRIBUNAL AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AND MISCONDUCT

LISTEN HERE:
http://ontheblockradio.blogspot.com/2011...olice.html

On January 15, 2011, members of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality convened a tribunal to address the incidents of police brutality in Philadelphia. This 17-minute radio piece contains excerpts from the testimony of expert witnesses and victims of police brutality (Baseemah Muhammed, Abdus Sabur, Annette Dickerson, among others); as well as interviews with members of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality.

The Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality was formed in the wake of the attack against Askia Sabur in West Philadelphia on September 3, 2010 as a vehicle for putting an end to the phenomenom of police brutality in Philadelphia.

Background:

Philadelphia, PA – The People’s Tribunal Against Police Brutality and Misconduct convened amidst a whirlwind of public debate, legal battles and community protest sparked by the upsurge in police brutality. This independent community legal proceeding was initiated by the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality (ACAPB). The tribunal gathered testimony from victims of police brutality for submission to the US Commission on Civil Rights and the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations. In addition, the Tribunal served to educate community residents about their legal and constitutional rights as they pertain to “stop and frisk” and mobilize community residents to take action at the polls during this year’s mayoral and city council elections.

The Tribunal featured two kinds of testimony. The first from community residents who have been victimized by the Philadelphia police. Key witnesses included the family of Askia Sabur, whose September 3, 2010 beating by 19th District police officers was captured on video tape and broadcast on YouTube. The most well known witness will be Ramona Africa, the lone adult survivor of the May 13, 1985 police bombing which murdered nine children, women and men of the MOVE organization.

The second form of testimony came from expert witnesses – ranging from journalists, political activists and legal professionals whose expertise was used to examine the systemic nature of police brutality in Philadelphia and the US. Annette Dickerson of the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights reported on the ongoing legal struggle against the “Stop and Frisk” in New York City. Philadelphia's ACLU's has a pending lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia, calling into question the constitutionality of the tactic. Nationwide, Stop and Frisk has been scrutinized for being unconstitutional and a tool to legitimize racial profiling. Attorney Leon Williams discussed the civil suit being filed on behalf of Ramona Africa and the MOVE organization against the City of Philadelphia. To this day, no public official has had to face criminal charges for state sanctioned murder which was carried out on May 13, 1985.

ACAPB members believe that a tribunal of this type is necessary due to systemic nature of police brutality in Philadelphia and the US, the State has given police the legal license to commit acts of murder and brutality with impunity. The Coalition cites the political influence and financial backing of the Fraternal Order of Police as a corrupting influence on local politicians who seek FOP endorsements and campaign contributions while turning a blind eye to brutality. After securing the FOP endorsements, District Attorney Seth Williams rewarded his FOP backers by appointing Christopher Werner to lead his bureau of county detectives. This promotion is extremely questionable as Werner was the head of the 25th District unit now under federal investigation for armed robbery and drug dealing. The beating of Askia Sabur and other victims is the product of a culture of police violence entrenched in Philadelphia and fortified by Police Chief Frank Rizzo’s dirty war against the Black Liberation Movement.

The Tribunal proceedings cite the UN Human Rights Charter and the UN Convention on Genocide as its legal foundation. In addition, its organizers plan to back up the legal principles of the Tribunal with political action designed to bring about greater community control and political accountability. In addition to witness testimony attendees of the tribunal will be able to file formal complaints against the police, get resources on expungement from the National Lawyers Guild, and other information about knowing and protecting one’s rights.

The Tribunal proceedings were held at the Songhai City Cultural Center at 3117 Master Street in North Philadelphia. For more information call 215-300-6480.