Cross Roads For Black Lives Matter

Cross Roads for Black Lives Matter

Several events have taken place in the new civil right movement also known as Black Lives Matter. The movement has grown to encompass not only the disparately racist killing of unarmed Black males by the police, but working class people of all races and genders.

Since January 1, 2015 three people a day have been shot and killed by the police. This number includes the nineteen years old unarmed Black man in Wisconsin, Tony Robinson, who was killed in his home after a police officer broke into his apartment without a warrant. The number also includes a man in Georgia was obviously unarmed as he was without clothing and another man, homeless in Los Angeles. I am sure when you search the internet the shooting of unarmed  working class people of all races by the police will be found readily. In Wisconsin thousands have demonstrated and blocked highways since the death of Tony Robinson.

The recent Department of Justice report determination that the racism of the Missouri police was systemic and institutional is further evidence of the need for changes in the racial bias of police departments nationwide. Essentially some police officers’ interaction with the Black people of Ferguson and elsewhere are that of an oppressor who collected money for the state and harass, arrested or killed those who do not pay up. The report was no optimistic of change for the better In the near future. One can only assume that continued actions by advocates are needed. Hundreds are still demonstrating against the racism of the Ferguson police. 

The shooting of two Ferguson police officers is unfortunate and a crime that should be punished the same as Michael Brown killer should have been punished. These individualistic shooting are not a part of legitimate protest movements; no more than racist shootings are a legitimate part of police conduct. Mass collective action is what makes social justice movements work.

In response to unacceptable continuing killing of unarmed people some of the Black Lives Matter organizations, including the Massachusetts Human Rights Commission, the Progressive Labor Party, and others will rally against racist police killings and intimidation. The rally will take place on March 21, 2015, 12 Noon, Korean War Memorial Worcester. Community United Collective which has taken a lead in the movement for social justice is rumored to be having internal issues. Hopefully it will be able to return to its more militant former self.  The coalition of Clark students has had a tepid appearance since it bold actions in the Fall of 2014.

One of the reasons for the tepidity might be that the City of Worcester has summoned a Black Lives Matter Advocate to a Clerk Magistrate hearing. These hearings are intended to intimidate people and send a chill into a protest movement. The City of Worcester has no evidence of any wrong doing and therefore it has not charged anyone with anything nor has it gone to the District Attorney. It brings to mind the words of Councillor Lukes “The Worcester Police have been reduced to just harassment”.   I asked to meet with City Manager Augustus and Chief of Police Gemme about the matter, but they have not respondent to the inquiry.

Besides the rally on March 21, 2015 organizers are promising other responses to the City Manager’s and City police’s attempts to intimidate the movement for social justice. Community United Collected has sent out a press release which seemingly has been ignored by the mainstream Worcester media.  The Civil Liberty Union of Massachusetts has for years been at the forefront in the fight for police accountability by its lawsuits and it might have to step up once again with others.