------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the July 8, 2004 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
JUSTICE FOR STANLEY MILLER: CALL TO ACTION AGAINST LAPD [Following are excerpts from a call to action by the Los Angeles International Action Center in solidarity with the Black community to help end police terror.] In view of the latest publicized beating of yet another Black person, this time 36-year-old Stanley Miller, by the Los Angeles Police Department, this is a call for a coordinated action to keep the pressure on the police, mayor, governor and federal government and show these bodies that the Black community and its allies in this country will not tolerate any further police terror, which has become normal policy. The LAPD has increased the frequency of terrorism and beatings against the Black community since the Rodney King verdict in 1992. Tyisha Miller, Margaret Mitchell, Donovan Jackson are just some of the Black victims of police brutality who made the headlines. Many more have not. Black people, especially youth, are routinely harassed and insulted by the LAPD's violence. Unfortunately, after a blatant display of racist terror by the police has been exposed, like clockwork, the state and local governments put into motion the machinery of "lullification." They pick and choose who they will negotiate with and who will be anointed as the most fit community leaders to work with--"fit" meaning those who will discourage militant action and protest. And, like clockwork, the Justice Depart ment will send its community control overseers posing as civil rights advocates to assure the family, friends and allies of the latest victim that justice will be forthcoming. Then, the stall begins and with that stall, anger turns into hopelessness, action into despair and exhaustion. Three or four weeks later militant action is no longer feasible since a demand for justice has turned into nothing more than a whimpering plea to the powers that be. Stanley Miller, whose victimization by the police on June 23 was videotaped and shown throughout the day on local channels, had surrendered. He was not resisting when Officer John Hatfield, a seven- year department veteran, kicked Miller in the head, then landed 11 potentially fatal blows to Miller's upper body and perhaps his head. Nothing Miller did before he surrendered could possibly justify that psychotic rage, yet time and time again that same type of reckless endangerment by armed police against the lives of oppressed peoples is witnessed in the communities of Watts, South Cen tral, Comp ton and East Los Angeles. In fact, it is almost exclusively reserved for those communities, with police who are well armed and display contempt and hatred for the people there. The slightest altercation could be fatal. This is not a police force that protects. This is an occupying army. Miller's type of encounter with the police under the cover of isolated and dark streets does not usually get exposed but for a chance recording on videotape; however, for Black and Latin@ people, this occurrence is all too familiar. It is yet another example of racism in its deadliest form. The LAPD presents a clear and present danger to the lives of especially Black and Latin@ people here in Los Angeles. Meekness and apathy in the face of brutal attacks against these communities invites further abuse and even death to the people living there. What is clear is that militant demonstrations under the leadership of these communities with uncompromising solidarity from the progressive movement must be built. But it must not be an action solely for the purpose of headlines for a day. Equally important is its capacity to build a united network of organizations and activists dedicated to fighting police and state terror against the Black and Latin@ communities here. This Friday at the Parker Center could be a significant contribution towards that type of action. The International Action Center is organizing a press conference and rally at 12 noon on July 2 with representatives from labor, anti-war, civil rights and community organizations to make a stand and speak in solidarity with leading Black organizations and activists--all dedicated to sincerely fighting police brutality and its root causes. In unity there is strength and protection from those who would harm our loved ones. A more humane world is not possible unless each one of us feels secure and safe from harm and hunger. The time is now. Initial signers: International Black Coalition for Peace and Justice, Coalition in Solidarity with Haiti, West Papuan Network, Inter na tional Action Center, Latinos Against the War, Bayan - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. 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