Soulplanet Blog

Dead Prez Interview on Sean Bell & 50 Shots




        Dead Prez Interview on Sean Bell & 50 Shots

(Courtesy of Davey D)

 We caught up with dead prez two days after the horrific Sean Bell verdict which acquitted the police officers who shot him 5o times. The group had just given a rousing performance in Amhearst, Mass and took time out to break down how we should be viewing things in the aftermath. Both M-1 and Stic said they weren't surprised by the verdict because America has a history of never administering justice to those they oppress.

We also caught up long time activist Rosa Clemente, Hip Hop Pioneer Popmaster Fabel and former Presidential candidate Jared Ball.

All of them offered up keen insight and overstanding to the Sean Bell situation and police terrorism..

We also premiered a new song from rapper Jasiri X about Sean Bell

Listen to Breakdown FM Interview by Clicking the link Below



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Our Hearts Go Out To The Family Of Sean Bell



IT AIN'T OVER...


THROWBACK VIDEO

FOR THE HOMIES-

dead prez & Smif n Wessun

WARRIORS HEART









SPREAD LOVE...

FREE THE SF 8!!!


A very large, well-attended rally preceded today's packed San
Francisco 8 court hearing. Four of the SF 8 - Ray Boudreaux, Richard
Brown, Hank Jones and Francisco Torres - joined in leading chants
outside the 850 Bryant Street courthouse along with supporters from
all over the Bay Area and from other West Coast cities. The main
defense arguments focused on the prosecutors' request to conduct
"conditional exams" of 5 witnesses who are old and in poor health and
so may not be available at trial. There are legal bases for their
testifying in advance of the preliminary hearing and trial. But the
defense is arguing that they have full rights to court-ordered
discovery pertaining to these witnesses allowing them to prepare to
cross examine them – particularly exculpatory evidence. Judge Philip
Moscone seemed to indicate that the standards for these exams would
have to meet trial standards, and that he will address the related
discovery issues, but would not issue a written ruling until next
week's court hearing. Defense subpoenas make clear reference to
missing exculpatory evidence including "negative comparisons" of
latent prints by FBI fingerprint examiners from 1971 and 1975. "I
believe that the FBI has been deeply involved in the investigation of
the Ingleside murder," according to defense attorney Chuck Bourdon,
who represents Francisco Torres. Bourdon also thinks that all FBI
files "have not yet been provided." Several agencies made reports of
negative results over the years. The only positive identification of
any latent print (the same latent print) was made recently by an
'expert' that was previously disciplined for making false fingerprint
reports. Stuart Hanlon, representing Herman Bell in this case,
referenced his previous defense of Geronimo Ji-Jaga Pratt - a major
target of FBI's COINTELPRO program. Geronimo "was falsely imprisoned
for 27 years by the withholding of FBI exculpatory evidence," argued
Hanlon. "This request demanding full discovery and particularly FBI
evidence is more than reasonable in light of this history. This case
is no different," Hanlon pointed out. "The FBI and COINTELPRO are
relevant to this case as COINTELPRO is a continuum through today's
Phoenix Taskforce," argued Jalil Muntaqim's lawyer, Daro Inouye. The
Phoenix Taskforce is a multi-agency force that is difficult to
formally define. It is known that it includes the US Attorney, the
FBI, local police agencies including the SFPD, and the California
Department of Justice. It is the umbrella organization that has
reopened this case, empaneled various Grand Jury investigations and is
overall responsible for this 37-year old Panther prosecution. Dave
Druliner, the lead State prosecutor, replied to defense references to
COINTELPRO dismissively as "an aura that exists out there," and "just
something that the defense brings up from time to time." Apparently
congressional investigations revealing the illegality of the FBI's
COINTELPRO program in the 1970s are part of that aura. Next week's
hearing will also address requests from Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim
to be returned to New York State between now and the start of the
preliminary hearing in this case (likely to be scheduled for early
September), in order to pursue their parole hearings. Judge Moscone
indicated a willingness to agree to these requests if Herman and Jalil
were to waive their rights to be present at any interim hearings in
San Francisco. The next hearing in the San Francisco 8 case is
scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th at 9:30 am in Department 26, 3rd
floor, 850 Bryant Street.
_______________________________________________ Please support these
brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable to CDHR/Agape and
mail to the address below or donate on line:
www.freethesf8.org/donate.html Committee for the Defense of Human
Rights (CDHR) PO Box 90221 Pasadena, CA 91109 (415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

They Wanna Know...WHY WE SAY FTP






Without accountability the very nature of what it means to preserve peace, justice and equality is called into question. It is a necessity for the people, for the community to hold the various police departments accountable since they have proved themselves incapable of doing so themselves.

Immortal Technique (Hip Hop Artist)

No one is safe when it comes to the terror tactics perpetrated by the police force on a national level. To some that statement may seem a bit harsh. However, a cursory glance at the historical context of the relationship between "The Police" and "The People" will make it plain. In fact, one doesn't really have to go back 500 years or even 40 years to see the excessive force, beatings, torture, false imprisonment, coercion and outright murder sponsored by those whose mission is supposed to be "to serve and protect".

On January 4, 2008, Tarika Wilson, 26, and her 1-year old son, Sincere Wilson were shot by SWAT Police in Lima, Ohio. The Police, who came to allegedly execute a drug warrant for Ms. Wilson's boyfriend, knew there were children in the house because of the toys in the yard, yet they still managed to shoot Tarika Wilson as she held her baby. Ms. Wilson, the mother of six children, ages 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, was pronounced dead on the scene. One year old Sincere's arm was badly injured and at least one of his fingers was amputated as a result of his injuries. Cases like these have forced us to expose; as Brother Dhoruba would say, "the occupying militarized police and the armed counterinsurgency units masquerading as Street Crime Units, Anti-Gang Task Forces and Community Policing Units".

The People have become immune to the alarming number of murders committed by Police not only because they have been so frequent but, also because the actual aftermath of the murders have not been presented visually.

Why We Say FTP is a highly anticipated film written, produced and directed by Kalonji Changa and Vaunghn Saber. The Film sheds light on Police Terrorism, Political Prisoners as well as Cointelpro: past and present amongst other things. It brings life to the victims, of some you may have heard and others you may not. Why We Say FTP is not the typical "We hate the Police" film, but a film that from an intellectual perspective would even cause your Grandmother to say "I may not agree with the term FTP, but I understand why they use it".

Why We Say FTP is not just another run of the mill "conscious" documentary; it is a project that captures the heart and minds of everyday people. In the film you will find everyone from Freedom Fighters, Rappers and Politicians to the average Brother and Sister on the Block. The film's topics range from the CIA's role in pushing Cocaine into the streets, to the FBI's role in the East Coast-West Coast Black Panther riff and its relation to the so-called Tupac/Biggie conundrum. The goal of Why We Say FTP is not to capitalize off the suffering of the people, as so many so-called leaders do, but to educate and inspire on a mass level. Be on the look out for Why We Say FTP, coming soon on DVD.

For more information on Why We Say FTP go online to: www.myspace.com/ftpmovement

About the Producers:

Kalonji Changa is the Founder/National Chief Coordinator of the FTP Movement an Organization whose acronym stands for, amongst other things, Feed The People, Free The Prisoners and Fight The Power. Kalonji was also instrumental in the launching of the Cease Fire: Stop Police Terrorism Campaign. Cease Fire: Stop Police Terrorism is a National Crusade that amalgamated Community Organizers and the Hip Hop Community to tackle issues of Police Brutality. In addition to his effective organizing, Kalonji is also a talented revolutionary writer whose work has appeared in San Francisco Bay View, The Source and Frontline Magazine.

(http://www.kalonjichanga.com/)

Vaunghn Saber is a producer/director/videographer/video editor who has worked with several individuals and organizations in the Metro Atlanta area. Vaunghn Saber is well known for his involvement with the recording group The Liuns Den as a music producer and from his videography works on the Crew Love DVD series with founder Taj Anwar. His collaborative efforts with Kalonji Changa on Why We Say FTP was to bring awareness to the general public, young and old, that this is something that people are faced with each and every day around the world. The people need to be enlightened that this is not something that happens by accident. Police are violating the rights of the people and are getting away with absolute murder. This project is aimed at exposing the corrupt system that is supposed to protect and serve as well as inform the people of their rights and how to protect themselves when placed in a situation regarding an encounter with the police.

www.myspace.com/vaunghnsaber)

Crew Love DVD Promo