Friend Got Caught In Riots

My girlfriend got caught in the riots in Oakland. She was trying to get home from work and she just couldn't get out of there in time. She said it was pretty scary.

Below a demonstrator lies on ground in protest after Johannes Mehserle (below) was sentenced to two years for killing Oscar Grant.

BART officer gets 2 years in fatal shooting

Well, for those of us who live near Oakland California, it is indeed a sad day for us. We realize now that justice is for those who truly have the means to buy it.

Johannes Mehserle will get credit for time he's already spent behind bars since he was charged in the shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant on a train platform on January 1, 2009, a judge ruled Friday.

Okay we gave a 22 month sentence to Michael Vick for what he did to a dog and 2 years (with only possible 7 months served) for a man shooting someone.

What is wrong with that picture?

Mehserle told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert Perry before sentencing Friday that he would be willing to go to prison if the sentence made his city and family safer.

"I shot a man," he said. "I killed a man. It should not have happened."

Oscar Grant's Killer Offered Change of Venue

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson informed attorneys late yesterday, that the case against former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle will be moved to another county. Mehserle, who is accused of murder in the Jan. 1 fatal shooting of Hayward resident Oscar Grant III, 22, should occur in another county because Mehserle, 27, cannot receive a fair trial in Alameda County.

ccording to court rules, the site chosen must meet a number of factors, including similar demographics to Alameda County, availability on the court's calendar and ability to handle the interest in the case.

Jacobson did not set a date for a hearing on deciding a new venue for the case and said, for now, a Nov. 2 trial date will remain on the court calendar although the case is not expected to begin by then.

Below is a video of the actual shooting in January and news report

Oakland Riots Continue

The recent riots sparked by the shooting of 22 year old (Oscar Grant) on New Years Day by a Bart Transit Officer were out of control. On Wednesday night a peaceful demonstration was organized outside the Fruitvale Bart Station. Their were hundred of protesters, who spoke in megaphones and voiced their opinions on the situation between the police and the community.


(see video ----> HERE)

You know the say, " it only takes one." Well one person apparently spotted a police car (which riled them up), It was reported that someone started cursing at the officers who were standing behind it. The crowd surged forward and started setting dumpsters and cars on fire. The next thing folks started breaking windshields and holding up traffic, rocks started flying everywhere.

This is what I call, "Mob mentality." I think the videos (that were taken by onlookers)have played a major part in escalating the current unrest. Sadly, we have many people who have criminal intentions and they could give a hoot about Oscar Grant, but suddenly it is a chance to loot and riot.





Some people waved photos of Grant and called the officers "pigs" and "murderers." Other demonstrators lay face down with their arms behind their backs to demonstrate what Grant was doing when he was shot in the back by a BART police officer.

I think folks are just tired though. Sometimes it is the same thing day in and day out. You feel trapped the same people that are supposed to be protecting you are killing you.

Source:sfgate

Oakland Bart Police Officer Shoots Man in Back

Mother of Oscar Grant speaks with Oscar's fiance, Wanda Johnson. They have a 4 year old daughter together.





Sadly the New Year has started out in some areas like the old year. Here in Oakland California is not different. Reportedly a BART police officer, who was struggling to handcuff a 22-year-old man, stood up over the facedown Hayward resident and fired a single shot into his back while a handful of officers watched. All this was captured on video by a passenger.





MOre on the story -----> HERE