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The Protest Against The Shooting Of Oscar Grant

Oakland : CA : USA | Jan 09, 2009 at 4:42 PM PST

By eriks

16 1

Wednesday I went to the protest against the deadly shooting of Oscar Grant in the Fruitvale BART Station, California. Shortly after the shooting, a lot of cellphone video coverage surfaced and with it the awareness of the shooting in the broader public increased.

Going over from the city to Fruitvale you could already in BART feel the emotions of the people in the area. At the protest the atmosphere was intense and emotional. It was a lot of anger, frustration and distress about what has happened. Why did it happen? How could it happen? Was it an accident? Was it a second-degree murder? Why? Why? Why?

I was especially stunned by how many people were afraid of being caught on video and share their thoughts. They were happy to share their thoughts about the shooting, the protest and what they wanted to happen as long as I didn't capture it on film. A friend later told me that there is a built-up distrust against the law enforcement agencies and the authorities in general. The shooting and the of it following events will most likely make that situation even worse.

My main impression from the protest is that the shooting is tragic in so many ways, and that, regardless what happens as far as a legal process, the effects of the event is gonna be long-lasting and not very pleasant.

Again, it is just tragic.

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Video of the protest against the shooting of Oscar Grant, Fruitvale, California

eriks is based in Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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READ MORE: Fruitvale, Oscar Grant, rally, Oakland, protest

More News From: Oakland : CA : USA

Post a Comment Comments: 14

Posted By

Amra Tareen | over 3 years ago

Great job Erik, when are going to the Middle East to cover the events?

Posted By

Brodzky | over 3 years ago

I commend you on your commitment to community journalism. i suggest more details for those of us who are unfamiliar with the case, but I suppose others, like myself, who want to learn more can do an internet search.

Reply By

Amra Tareen | over 3 years ago

Brodzky, you can get more details on the shooting by going to the top of this page and looking at the related allvoices contributions ..the first report is covered by snail outlining the shooting..

also the news stories tab on top and blogs and videos all give the facts, and other materials so you will not have to do a search :-)

A plug for allvoices

Posted By

Brodzky | over 3 years ago

I looked at the other stories posted on allvoices. What I saw on the video was a cop murdering somebody. Aside from the crime of murder, for which any citizen should be prosecuted, I saw a violation of public trust that undermines the entire endeavor of law enforcement. The cop is not only a murderer, he's a traitor to his badge.

Reply By

eriks | over 3 years ago

The event is really pretty tragic. it is one of those things where noone will win, but everyone will loose. I actually feel sad about the whole thing. The anger I met was overwhelming, yet so understandable. If it is the right thing to turn to. I don't know. it for sure is a tragedy in so many ways.

Posted By

BorderExplorer | over 3 years ago

Thanks for a personal report from this newsworthy event!

Reply By

eriks | over 3 years ago

It was an experience. It really was an experience. There were so many tangential stories to the protests. The only way we can bridge and overcome the issues we face in our world today is to meet, discuss and interact upon them. Only then will we understand each other to the extent we need to to resolve them. Violence cannot prevail as the only solution. This goes for all of us.

Posted By

InspectorGadget | over 3 years ago

It's good that people are standing up against this. There was no reason at all to shoot Oscar Grant. It was murder. Unfortunately, cases like this happen all the time, and law enforcement usually doesn't suffer any consequences. If it wasn't for the videos surfacing the web, this situation probably wouldn't have gotten much coverage. There was a similar case that happened in New York, where an unarmed Sean Bell had 50 shots fired at him by the police in 2006. The cops involved in the shootings were acquitted of all charges. These police departments need some serious reform. Instead of preserving the safety of citizens, they are causing more problems.

Posted By

shaukat khan | over 3 years ago

hi friends this is very nice

Posted By

matriarch | over 3 years ago

Great capture of the emotions that this tragic event elicited from the community. It shows once again, that violence never helps - at all.

Posted By

linswitzer | over 3 years ago

Whereas, I am opposed to violence and police brutality, I have a greater disdain for gangs and gang violence. The people who are protesting violently should be an alert to us all that these people will violently attempt to seize and destroy anything and anyone that is near them without the slightest provocation. If the victim is indeed a part of the gangs violently protesting, then he could have posed a danger to the transit officer that was not captured by the cameras. Take a look at all the property that was destroyed by the violence of the protesters. What did anyone do to illicit such destruction. Before you applaud such violent demonstrations and condemn a man doing his job, wait for the surrounding facts to be disclosed. Furthr, never should such violence be tolerated in America. I believe media prosecution is media persecution.

Reply By

eriks | over 3 years ago

I oppose all unnecessary violence so I certainly do not applaud violent demonstrations. I do agree that it is a very fine balance for media to cover these events, and not prosecute before the legal process is even started. Media coverage is so important though.

I think the key in all events such as these is transparency especially since these types of events effects us all whether we like it or not and regardless what is true and false.

We should all learn from what happened and happens, and find ways to make sure it doesn't happen again. I think we can all agree on the fact that noone should have gotten killed in the first place. Fundamentally something went wrong and we should find a way to make sure it doesn't go wrong again.

Posted By

reading64 | about 3 years ago

Violence must be condemned and it must be prevented at any cost.

Posted By

syedatif | over 2 years ago

Thats the wonderful report about topic. The strength of writer is amazing.

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