NY Collective of Activists Against Judicial Injustice 

BRO. SHEP ASSISTING HURRICANE “SANDY” VICTIMS IN RED HOOK HOUSING PROJECTS

>>>SAVE THE DATE!<<< 

★ ★ ★  PACK THE COURT!★ ★ ★  

 Brother Shep’s (Shepard P. McDaniel) 

Court Appearance 

 Thursday, November 15, 2012 – 9:00 AM 

 The Bronx County Hall of Justice 

(The "new" Court House across the street from the shopping mall) 

265 East 161st Street 

Part TAP1 Lower Level 

CASE BACKGROUND

During this past Spring's "Bogus Weapons Case" against Bro. Shaka Shakur; "Original" Black  Panther Party Veteran and longtime community activist Sadiki "Shep" Ojore Olugbala was identified  as a leader, politically targeted and unjustly arrested inside of the Bronx Criminal Court house for his  experienced supervision in the orderly departure of both Bro. Shaka's attorney and his many  supporters from the courtroom. This arrest was made at the same time that several other court  officers were engaged in a heated discussion with Bro. Shaka’s noted activist attorney Michael "Tarif"  Warren in regards his objection of the court officers overall disrespect towards those people who had  come to the trial in support of Bro. Shaka. Unfortunately, despite yet another court victory by the  people The State has decided to still make an example of Bro. Shep in order to have him imprisoned  and; To continue its current city-wide court campaign to "intimidate & curtail" the growing peoples  movement to "Pack The Court House" in support of both organizers and/or the victims of Police  Terror by the NYPD. Finally, in addition to the criminal charges in Bro. Shep's case, is the very real  question of whether or not the people can actually receive a fair and unbiased trial when both the  arresting NYS Court Officers and the presiding NYS Court Judges personally know, socialize and  work with each other on a regular basis. This legal contradiction, as well as the aforementioned City-  Wide Court Campaign to violate our 1st Amendment Constitutional Rights both inside & outside the  courthouse, will be addressed during this trial as well.  

SIGN PETITION

Victory for Jazz Hayden!
By: Brian Jones

Facing up to 14 years in prison for 2 felony counts of weapon possession discovered during a traffic stop, Joseph “Jazz” Hayden emerged from court this morning with an ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal), a small fine, 5 days of community service.
Anyone who has followed this case knows that the charges were bogus. The “weapons” were a small pen knife and a miniature commemorative baseball bat. In reality, these charges were nothing but retaliation for Jazz’s activism to expose the brutal reality of the NYPD’s “Stop and Frisk” policy.

The ACD and community service really only serve to allow the District Attorney to save face. The fact is every day is community service for Jazz, which is why so many people showed up time after time to these court appearances. Jazz is a 71 year old activist who has been doggedly documenting police behavior in Harlem. His case has been discussed widely in the media.

Outside the courtroom, Jazz smiled and thanked his supporters. “This victory is because of y’all,” he said, “your protest, your phone calls, your petitions, and your presence here. I love you.”

The feeling is mutual.

Coverage on NY1

Jazz Speaks to NY1's Natasha Ghoneim outside Manhattan Criminal Court

Jazz Hayden along with a large group of supporters packed Manhattan Criminal Courthouse inside and out on the morning of July 31, 2012.  They were there demanding that District Attorney Cyrus Vance drop the charges against Jazz Hayden.  The charges against Jazz are seen to be retaliation for his filming and scrutiny of police activities in the Harlem community.  

The Judge set another date for Jazz's case on October 11, 2012 in anticipation of a grand jury indictment.  The grand jury will be convened sometime during September (TBA).  The supporters plan to mobilize around both events of these dates.    

To keep up with Jazz's case or get involved go to
www.freejazzhayden.wordpress.com

also

Sign the petition

David Galarza speaks to the importance of filming police activities in our communities to show the truth in whats going on.  He describes a recent video he shot of an NYPD officer fondling and body slamming a young teenager.  He tells of how the news reported it as a good job by the officer while his video tells a different story.  

While David is speaking you will notice that one of the court officers behind him is filming him and the group of supporters.  Why? And what will they do with this tape we don't know.

Click to read more ...