Hayward Hosts First Police Brutality Event at City Hall

Event attendees read out names of police brutality
victims as water libations are poured.

A man stands above a captivated crowd pouring water out of an Evian bottle. He’s pouring libations, a symbolic gesture to remember the many victims of police brutality.

“Ashe,” participants echoed as each victim was remembered, the Nigerian word for “Amen” or more literally, “so be it” after each victim was remembered.

One of the most notable incidents remembered at the event was the shooting of Oscar Grant, 22, that involved the BART Police.  Victims also included Mohammed Shaw, 21, of Hayward, who was fatally shot while in his car.

Cities across the nation protested against police brutality Tuesday night in solidarity with National Against Police Brutality Day, an event that occurs every year on Oct. 22.

Some protests such as the ones in Sacramento, New York and Chicago attracted thousands of protesters, some who burned flags as police officers broke up fights, SF Gate reports.

Members of Russell City Empowerment Center, a community center in Hayward, have taken it upon themselves to bring this awareness to the people of Hayward.

“Thousands of people were killed in crackdowns over the last couple of decades, and police aren’t held accountable for the violence,” said protester Ramon Rios-Parada, who is also a member of the community center.

A dozen people attended the quiet and peaceful event held in front of Hayward’s City Hall. One of those attendees was Michael Collins, a 20-year-old resident of East Oakland whose brother has had encounters with police since his teenage years.

“He’s been gang affiliated since the age of 13, and never really had much of a chance to grow from a lot of things,” said Collins about his brother, who is now 26 years old.

It was a high-speed chase that resulted in Collins’ brother hiding under a nearby house in Castro Valley. When found by Alameda County sheriffs, officers released German shepherds onto him for 15 minutes while standing by to watch, said Collins. The aftermath left his brother bleeding half to death with one eye missing and two bullets lodged in both ribcages.

Filmed by Kaliva Morgan

“A bullet stopped right underneath his ribcage that almost went into his heart,” said Collins. “The police still haven’t removed any of the bullets out of his body, except the one in his ribcage, because it was close to his heart.”

Collins said the issue between the county sheriffs and his brother is very personal and has been for quite some time.

His brother is currently sitting in “the hole” in Santa Rita County Jail, serving only six out of the 12-year sentence he was originally given.

“He’s scared and doesn’t understand why, and really honestly, it’s bullshit,” said Collins. “Any police department makes me sick.”

Protesters said unless the police are held more responsible for their actions and receive severe jail sentences, nothing is going to change where police brutality is concerned.

“They could serve a three year sentence in county jail or even state prison for assault and battery charges that they incur,” said Lina, 18, an attendee and resident of Hayward.
But this simple solution to the problem may or may not become reality.