Rev. Floyd D. Harris, Jr., National President, National Network in Action
FRESNO, CA—The National Network in Action, a civil and human rights organization, the Mexican-American Political Association, the Fresno Brown Berets and New Light for New Life Church of God recently held a community rally against police brutality, harassment, racial profiling, excessive force and deadly force.
Over 100 people gathered at the corner of Arthur and Strother, where Mr. Jerel Stanfield was shot in the head, leg, and in the back, on Easter Sunday, March, 2013.The African American community came out to receive information on “Cop Watch” and “Know Your Rights.” When confronted by police, I said, “When Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer can laugh in a press conference and when former city council member Jerry Duncan can say, “Make no mistake about it—they are “terrorist,” (making reference to Black people). He said they aremuch like terrorists—like those people in Iraq who are blowing up innocent people.
“It’s business as usual with the Fresno Police Department,” I said, “giving our kids a hot dog and a bounce house, patting them on the head at the age of 5, and then shooting them in the head or back when they get older. The Black community has a constitutional right and human right to protest against police brutality, harassment, racial profiling, excessive force and deadly force.” Pastor Paul McCoy from New Light for New Life Church of God said the solution is not just for our community but we must set the example for all community so we can hold each other accountable.
Gloria Hernandez educated those gathered on the amount of money we are losing as taxpayers defending Chief Dyer while many city jobs are being lost or contracted out to private industries. The discrimination complaint filed by two deputy chiefs was settled prior to going to trial. The two deputy chiefs and their attorney won $100,000 while we the taxpayers paid Dyer’s Hollywood contracted attorney over $800,000 to quietly settle this case.
Juan Avitia, National President of the Mexican-American Political Association (MAPA), supported the rally and made the point that police dressed up in ski masks and, carrying military assault weapons descended into west Fresno armed with what appears to be a “tank” and ready for war.
This history includes the deliberate hunting and killing of Joaquin Figueroa in 2006, a disturbing assassination by Fresno police officers that haunts our community to this day. The Fresno Police Department does not have the right to be the JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.
TV links to Fresno Police Shooting on channel 30 news:
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=9064822
TV links to Fresno Police Shootingchannel news: http://www.ksee24.com/news/ARTHUR-OIS-RALLY-SUN-202963971.html
Blogtalk radio show: Realtalk1drs. M-F From 8pm to 8:30pm
Blogtalk radio show: National Network In Action Saturday 8pm to 8:30pm
Contact Rev. Floyd D. Harris Jr., President, National Network In Action, at 559-213-5886 or by email: xyfloyd@aol.com
IT’S SAD BECAUSE IF THE POLICE NOT KILLING OUR KIDS, THEY ARE MAKING SURE, THEY DO A LONG TIME IN PRISON, THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY AFRICAN AMERICAN KIDS ARE A MENACE TO SOCIETY. PRISON AND BURRING OUR KID’S IS NOT THE ANSWER, JOB’S, CLASSES, LOVE, RESPECT, FAIRNESS, COMMUNICATION, IS THE ANSWER. GIVE THEM POSITIVE THINGS TO DO, GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. JOBS…JOBS..JOBS.. THEY WILL SEE A CHANGE..
I’m a native born and raised in Fresno, California; however, I left the prejudice town of Fresno, California at a young age.
My experience with the prejudice and unfair treatment of African American back then. Now that I’ve left Fresno and still experience the unfair, prejudice, racial profiling of young African American men first hand because my son, Jason E. Pellum, Sr. is currently in the Fresno County jail on a trumped up charge.
Jason has been since February, 2014 and there is a great injustice being done to my son, and after reading this article and your background, I feel you are the best person and/or organization to assist me in this matter, and to look into the fact that Jason is not receiving ordered medical attention, not receiving the medication that is ordered, and I would like the opportunity to talk with someone from your organization as soon as possible.
Someone from the NAACP local, regional and federal levels needs to investigate not only the harsh treatment to my son but for EVERY young African American man who has encountered this horrible treatment from the Police Chief Dyer and his incompetent staff of officers and administrative people. After reading this article, it is imperative more needs to be done to eradicate the injustices for ALL African