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Gathering points for October 22 protests around the U.S.
On October 22, 2001, people of all races and many different backgrounds will take to the streets across the country to say in one loud voice: STOP POLICE BRUTALITY! Last year on October 22nd, in more than 70 areas across the country over 12,000 people--youth, lawyers, teachers, students, clergy, musicians and other artists--took to the streets in rallies, cultural events and other forms of protest. People protested in cities, large and small, on reservations and college campuses. This year we must organize even stronger protests. We must take up the spirit of the people of Cincinnati who took to the streets when local cops murdered Timothy Thomas for unpaid traffic tickets. The people refused to be worn down or turned around by either repression or lies. WE CALL ON YOU TO JOIN US in putting the authorities on notice that we will not be silent while police brutalize and murder people.
We must resist to STOP the escalating nationwide epidemic of police brutality. New York City: The U.S. in-Justice department refused to prosecute the cops who murdered Amadou Diallo and the NYPD refused to fire them. Los Angeles: "The Ramparts scandal" has brought out into the open the existence of units of the LAPD that specialized in brutalizing and even murdering youth, planting drugs and weapons on them, and then railroading them to prison, or deportation. Only 2 cops have been jailed for these crimes, and the media is allowing this scandal to fade from public view. Detroit: In addition to having the most law enforcement killings per capita in the U.S., police there routinely arrest witnesses of their killings to pressure them into giving false evidence. Chicago: The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs has documented a wave of gay bashing attacks by Chicago police; in one case, police jammed a billy club in Frederick Mason Jr.'s rectum during an interrogation. Charleston, SC: 5 dockworkers protesting union busting face felony charges, 4 of them have been under house arrest after being attacked by cops in full riot gear.
The peoples' resistance to police murder, brutality, racial profiling, and repression has been rising despite government attacks. October 22, 2001, the 6th annual National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation (NDP 2001) IS A DAY TO MOUNT EVEN MORE POWERFUL RESISTANCE. It's a day for the youth of Cincinnati. It's a day for the survivors of those killed by police. A day to express outrage at cops firing "rubber bullets" at anti-police brutality protesters in Los Angeles on October 22, 2000; at the racial profiling that occurs on highways, city streets, and at every step of the way in the legal system; at the brutality directed at immigrant communities by the INS, sheriffs, cops and vigilantes. It's a day for thousands of people and hundreds of organizations to take to the streets and stand together in this important fight for justice.
You must be a part of this resistance because:
On October 22, 2001, YOU MUST JOIN THE PEOPLE WHO FACE POLICE BRUTALITY EVERY DAY, AND JOIN PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE STANDING TOGETHER DEMANDING JUSTICE AND AN END TO THESE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS! Only our resistance will end police abuses and violence. Wear black as a sign of solidarity with the protests in memory of those lives stolen from us by those sworn to protect and serve, and in support of their survivors and the struggle to end law enforcement violence. These victims can no longer speak for themselves, we must speak and act for them. Presente! The October 22nd Coalition also asks you to wear blue triangles in solidarity with immigrants targeted by the border patrol. Be out there on October 22nd fighting for a future where it is no longer acceptable for police to brutalize and murder people for being in the wrong neighborhood, speaking the wrong language or being the wrong color. Where people aren't blown away for pulling out their wallet or a cell phone. Where youth have decent education and meaningful work, not years in prison. Where people can protest without being spied on, shut down and beaten by police. We must stand together and say in a loud, powerful voice:
STOP POLICE BRUTALITY, REPRESSION and the
CRIMINALIZATION of a GENERATION!
OCTOBER 22nd--NO MORE STOLEN LIVES!
WEAR BLACK! FIGHT BACK!
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The list of endorsing organizations and individuals will be published and distributed widely. To be listed, we must have your signature on file at the national office (endorsements are not accepted by e-mail ... faxes are acceptable) and a minimum $15 contribution.
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For more information, call 1-888-NO-BRUTALITY or 212-477-8062,
office@october22.org
http://october22.org
Donations are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to "IFCO/Oct.22". Mail
this form and donation to:
October 22
P.O. Box 2627
New York, NY 10009
[posted 8/5/01]
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