The Peoples Police Brutality Tribunal was held in Harlem’s Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Center, an event organized for families, by families. Civil rights lawyer, filmmaker, musician and activist King Downing was on hand as event coordinator and moderator, facilitating the testimonies of families nationwide for an esteemed panel and the community.
People called, Skyped, and testified in person to share their stories of family members killed by police brutality and excessive force. Many with no followup, police report, or established case, and some even threatened for their continued investigation.
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- The Family Coalition for Justice’s event reached families from across the country
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- King Downing in Ferguson, Mo. handing out educational pamphlets outside the St. Louis County Justice Center
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- Family members spoke of the “Stolen Lives” project and the obstacles of seeking the truth
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- There are Peoples Tribunal organizations around the country, though the Family Coalition for Justice is for families, by families
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- A large poster of the “Stop Murder by Police” visual was present at the event
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- Art exhibit in Missouri echoes the violent image of black and brown bodies slain in the streets, courtesy Stop Mass Incarceration
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- The Mothers of Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner are not even the tip of the iceberg
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- Malcolm X: 1962 to 2015, reminding us that “the more things change, the more they stay the same”
A few young artists including OBA founder Emilia A. Ottoo were selected to perform original music and poetry. The Tribunal went so well–including food, literature, and a genuine sense of unity–that the community is calling for the event to be bi-annual.
*What they could use is more hands,* please contact the Family Coalition for Justice (familiestribunal@gmail.com, 347.483.9880) to help organize or volunteer. Also contact if you are a family member who wants to testify and bring your story closer to justice.
Rest in Freedom to all those we’ve lost, and much energy to all families affected.
