Dudley Laws Day Celebration: May 6th, 2012

Yesterday, May 7th would have marked the 78th birthday of Dudley Laws.

In Dudley’s honor, a celebration of his life will be held every year to remind us how much he cared for his community.  In the final hours before his death as he lay in his hospital bed dying, Dudley instructed members of the Black Action Defense Committee to carry forward and continue all that he had worked tirelessly for since the committee’s inception in 1988.

The Black Action Defense Committee (BADC) was co-founded by Dudley Laws, Charles Roach, Sherona Hall and Lennox Farrell in response to growing numbers of unarmed black men, shot and killed by Toronto police.  The shooting death of Lester Donaldson, a man experiencing a mental health crisis, was pivotal, in moving Dudley and BADC’s co-founders to action.  The group pushed for independent police oversight, accusing police of targeting black youth, racial carding and profiling.

It has been said by every member of BADC, I have had the privilege and honor to speak with, that Dudley Laws was untiring and fearless and that he took all the risks for all of us in his effort to end police violence against unarmed young black men.

Arnold Minors, keynote speaker, at the Dudley Laws Day celebration this past Sunday, spoke of the experience of a black man while being relentlessly targeted, hunted down by a Toronto police force with impunity.  Can you imagine trying to live your ordinary life and being tracked continuously?  Can you imagine being watched by police so set on silencing your voice and stopping your efforts that every law including those of the late 1800’s are considered to prevent your success?  This was the life of Dudley Laws.

Dudley was targeted, set-up and attempts made to find some measure of law-breaking to charge and incarcerate this activist, halting his mission to end police violence against his people and other citizens.  In the end, police found nothing with which they could apprehend and contain this man, concluding what everyone else in the community already knew – that Dudley Laws was a decent, hard-working, law-abiding citizen, contravening no law.

Reuben Abib, of the Black Action Defense Committee and the Never Again Coalition, clad in blue hospital gown blazoned with the words:  NEVER AGAIN! spoke of the recent shooting death by Toronto police of Michael Eligon, 29-year-old man, father of an 8-year-old boy.  Michael Eligon, holding only scissors in each hand and threatening no one, wearing only a hospital gown, socks and a toque was gunned down by Toronto police on a cold February day.  Abib spoke of the urgent need to support BADC through membership and action, stating current goals were calling for total civilian oversight of police within the SIU and for police impunity to end.

Roger Love, Advice Counsel for the African Canadian Legal Clinic, spoke of the need for independent analysis by social scientists of the data compiled and gathered by the Toronto Star a decade ago on racial profiling and carding to prove the hypothesis that racism and racial profiling exist within the Toronto police force.  Love stated that it is not possible that the 49% of incarcerated men are black and this is representative of black men in the community.  It is not realistic to state that 49% of black men in the community are not law-abiding citizens.  Black men are jailed  for minor infractions of the law that non-blacks are not being incarcerated for.  Why is this?

It has been said that the police are afraid of the black man.  Dudley Laws asked, why is that?  Black men are not shooting police officers – they are being shot by police officers and are not retaliating.

Racquiah Topey, proud supporter and assistant to Dudley Laws for the last 15 years, tells me, “It is lonely at the BADC office without Dudley there.”  Racquiah shoulders the burden that Dudley once did.  She answers all the phone calls, assists her people and others in the community in need, as Dudley would have.  She listens to the phone messages – threats and hateful comments, peppered with the ‘N’ word and sighs, then carries on with the good work that Dudley started.

Racquiah spoke out to the crowd with passion, loudly, to not let the efforts of Dudley Laws die – to get involved in body and spirit.  This is the only time I have seen gentle Racquiah, with quiet, polite, polished  reserve, speak animatedly and with such verve.  She returns to her former mellow self once seated again.

In 1996, I witnessed the shooting death of Tommy Barnett by Toronto police.   I was shocked to discover that truths were re-interpreted and facts twisted to support the police version of events.  I could find no one in either my white community or the black community in my area who would champion the cause of this young man, Tommy.  Complete apathy.  The white people thought I had it wrong.  The black people believed, but worried for the safety of the community if truths were spoken about or issue raised – just leave it alone was the advice, which I sadly followed.  I wish I had know about BADC and Dudley Laws in 1996.

Today, black woman say – you are a white woman so you will be shocked by the death of black men at the hands of Toronto police, but this is everyday reality for us – not shocking.  Quiet resignation, silent defeat, stay safe, maintain the status quo.

This racial cleansing must stop.

The Never Again Coalition formed in response to the shooting death of Michael Eligon by Toronto police – another unarmed black man, one experiencing a mental health crisis – one in need of our help and assistance not execution and elimination.  White people witnessed, held a vigil, felt sad, still feel sad, feel outraged, shocked by what they have come to realize – that their community is not safe  for all Canadians equally.

Black and white members of the Never Again Coalition and any others – individual or groups who wish to assist us in standing up for the rights of any oppressed persons profiled or violently transgressed by police who have witnessed police violence against the unarmed or those who are simply outraged by this unjust treatment of our Canadian citizens are welcome to join us in changing policing in the city of Toronto, the province of Ontario or the country of Canada and carry forward the vision Dudley Laws had for all Canadians.

Dudley Laws’ vision was the creation of a just and equal society and an unmitigated stand against police violence towards members of the black community, poor whites, First nations and oppressed people.  Dudley has said that while growing up he learned the precious value for honor and respect for human lives and the expectation of a better and a more caring world.

Dudley couldn’t have said it better and I couldn’t agree more.  Together we can create an equal and just society.  Together we can fulfil the vision Dudley Laws had for a better and a more caring society – equality for all Canadians is the path towards a Canada we all want to live in – safe for all of us.

Darlene Marett, RPN, BAA Nutrition and Family Studies

Member of:  The Never Again Coalition, Black Action Defense Committee

Administrator/writer of:  peopleschoicemovement.com

Calvin Harris: Feels so close – Let the healing begin

Music.  It soothes my soul.  I love all kinds of music: reggae, pop, dance, classical, jazz, rock, oldies, hip hop, rap, etc. I love all styles of dance, although I have two favorites:  Argentine tango and hip hop.  Two completely diverse styles of music and dance that evoke two different kinds of emotion within me.  Sultry and sensual tango that melts my heart…energizing and motivating hip hop that moves me to action.

Emotion – it is what drives us, connects us, motivates us.  We are expected to keep our emotions in check at all times – at work – be professional, be quiet, be silent, controlled.  In the community – discuss mundane topics – the weather.  In a world filled with war, hunger, racism, cruelty…be quiet, accept, go along with the status quo, don’t make waves, don’t make trouble…

Yesterday, at the Toronto Police Services Board Meeting I stood up for the marginalized, the homeless, aboriginals, racialised minorities, persons in mental health crisis… calling for an end to police shootings of the vulnerable in distress and in need of assistance.  I was joined by many:  John Sewell, former major of Toronto, founder of Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, Reuben Abib of Black Action Defense Committee, Doug Johnson-Hatlem, a mennonite street pastor, Doug Pritchard, witness to the police shooting of Michael Eligon and  former co-director of Christian Peace Teams, Jennifer Chambers of the Empowerment Council, funded by CAMH, James Loney of Christian Peace Teams and author, Lee McKenna of Santuary, Dr. Jane Pritchard, a physician who regularly provides medical care for the homeless and those in mental distress, Cindy Rose, R.N. and mental health consultant with public health in Toronto, Karyn Greenwood-Graham of Grief2Action, a support group for the grieving families of those who have been killed, Anita Szigetti, lawyer representing the mentally ill, myself – Darlene Marett, witness to the police shooting of Tommy Anthony Barnett and many, many others.

The Never Again! Coalition is growing.  We are a newly formed grassroots initiative comprised of a growing number of concerned citizens, witnesses, community groups, organizations and individuals who are affected by police violence.  Through respectful dialogue and non-violent direct action, Never Again! is organizing to change policing in Toronto.

Please watch this Calvin Harris video.  Listen to the words.  Watch a nation unite in peace and love – young and old, black and white, and those with dreams…and let the healing begin – there’s no stopping us right now!

The Never Again Coalition: This senseless killing must stop – Never Again

April 19th, 2012:   Toronto Police Services Board Meeting:   1:30pm – 4:00pm

Never Again! Coalition is a newly formed coalition of grassroots community groups, organizations, witnesses and individuals who are affected by police violence.  Through respectful dialogue and non-violent action, Never Again! is organizing to change policing in Toronto.  Current members of the coalition include the Black Action Defense Committee, the Empowerment Council, Parkdale Activity Recreational Centre and Santuary.

The Never Again Coalition was formed as a result of the violent death of Michael Eligon Jr. on February 3rd 2012.  Michael Eligon Jr. was a 29-year-old man who had been admitted to Toronto East General Hospital for a psychiatric assessment.  He left the hospital wearing only a hospital gown, socks and a toque.  Although carrying two pairs of household scissors and in contact with several people in the Milverton Blvd. Ave. area of Toronto, Michael Eligon Jr. was not seen as a dangerous threat by any he encountered.  He simply appeared confused, afraid and in need of help.

According to eye witnesses, Toronto Police did not use any de-escalation techniques or attempt to calm him in any way, except to aggressively shout at him.  When he was approached by a line of approximately 11 Toronto Police Officers, Michael Eligon Jr. was shot dead. (View Eye Witness Account @ http://vimeo.com/40549621)

Never Again!,  believes this young man’s violent death was preventable.  Never Again! is dedicated to changing the way the Toronto Police Service interacts with people in mental health crisis and the larger community as a whole.

Never Again!  Coalition Contact:  http://www.facebook.com/events/159061210886064

Deputation:  Darlene Marett:  Never Again! Coalition Member

My name is Darlene Marett.  I am here today at the Toronto Police Services Board Meeting to share with you, as a witness and as a citizen, the absolute shock, horror, and deep sadness I felt 16 years ago on January 10, 1996, when I witnessed a Toronto police officer crouch, aim and fire at unarmed 22-year-old Tommy Anthony Barnett from a distance of at least 20 feet.

Clearly, Tommy was acting unusually.  While holding a long pole with colourful fabric furled around the top – a flag, Tommy was marching North, straight up Bathurst St.  He turned, circled hesitantly on the boulevard, then began to walk South towards the waiting police officer standing near his cruiser angled across Bathurst St.  Tommy appeared to be in a world of his own.  The police officer stood his ground.  Tommy stopped marching suddenly, then took a step into a lunge and gracefully brought the flag down from it’s upright position.  This is when the police officer slowly lowered himself into a crouching position, raised his arm with his gun and aimed.  Tommy again stepped into a lunge position – 20 feet away from the officer – and lowered the flag to a horizontal position.

The police officer fired shots.  I watched in horror as Tommy fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.

Over the last 30 years, our Toronto citizens have been shot by police under circumstances where either the victim was unarmed or the victim was unequally armed, or armed with questionable items:  scissors, flags, pen-knives, kitchen knives.  In many instances, facts have been twisted to support the police version of events – to support the police officer’s decision to not only fire shots, but to kill.  It was said that Tommy had a sword.

This ‘use of force’ model the Toronto police are trained to employ, as in, stand your ground, take control, use force against any resistance to achieve total compliance is actually excessive use of force.  Can an apprehension consistently take place where someone does not die?  This is the question I am asking the Toronto Police Services Board today.

There are circumstances where the Toronto police use exemplary methods to contain and de-escalate.  These methods are to be applauded. These police officers are the true heroes of our city.  The police officers who use these methods, as was used in Windsor where a police huddle was formed around a man who was experiencing a mental health crisis and attempting to grab officers guns, led to the containment and de-escalation of the man.  In this instance, Windsor police removed the bullet clips from their guns, then created the huddle surrounding the man and he surrendered avoiding any unnecessary injury to either police or the man.

Unfortunately, there are 2 to 3 times or more per year where use of force is chosen by police and someone dies unnecessarily.

But, I am hopeful.  Why?

Sixteen years ago, I could not find anyone who would stand up for Tommy in my community.  Not one person said that they saw or heard anything.  A local news station I contacted did not want to hear about it. Total apathy.  No vigils.  No flowers.  No candles.  No demonstrations for Tommy.

Today is different.  It is a new day.  A vigil was held for Michael Eligon who was shot point blank by police as he carried scissors in each hand, clothed in a hospital gown.  Many people in the community attended, cried, felt saddened, still feel saddened, wish they had done things differently.  Wish they had helped.  They had no idea that Toronto police would shoot to kill.  Who would?  I knew Toronto police would because I saw it with my own eyes 16 years ago just as they did that cold February 3rd day, just weeks ago.

But now, concerned citizens are forming groups, speaking about what they witnessed.  Other concerned citizens who didn’t witness but note the trend are joining.  A coalition has formed.  We are:  The Never Again! Coalition.

What do we want?  This senseless killing must not ever happen again – not ever again.

Never again.

Marginalized people, aboriginal people, people in mental health crisis, those who are vulnerable, persons of minority ethnic origin, racialized groups.

These people could be any of us:  people who are vulnerable or find themselves vulnerable for any period of time.

No more killing – Never Again!

http://www.thestar.com/videozone/1164764