Sharpton calls for federal prosecution in Ferguson

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER

ST. LOUIS (AP) — With a grand jury decision and a local election looming, the Rev. Al Sharpton returned to St. Louis on Friday to renew calls for the federal prosecution of a white police officer who shot and killed a black 18-year-old in the nearby suburb of Ferguson.

The civil rights activist said leaks about the supposedly secret St. Louis County grand jury deliberations undermine the local inquiry into whether to indict Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown's killing. The panel is expected to complete its review by mid-November, independent of U.S. Justice Department investigations into both Brown's death and the broader practices of the Ferguson department.

Legal analysts have said leaked information about Wilson's testimony to investigators could be an attempt to prepare the public for the possibility that the grand jury might recommend he not face charges.

"The grand jury is tainted. The confidence of the family has been shattered," Sharpton said after meeting briefly with Brown's parents and local activists at a breakfast rally before returning to New York. "We should turn this over to the federal government."

FULL story at link.



The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at a breakfast at the Jonas Hubbard Community Center on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, to kick off the Justice For Michael Brown weekend. Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, right, and father Michael Brown, Sr. listen. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Christian Gooden)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141101/us--police_shooting-protests-2dce0e1553.html

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Still looking like same old same old.

Open season on black people in America. Kill them for walking while black, being in the 'wrong' neighbourhood, daring to try to save their own lives while 'armed with pavement' against a stalker armed with a pistol, daring to beg for help after auto accidents at night.

If no charges are brought, if Darren Wilson is simply allowed to gun down an unarmed and surrendering young man in front of a half dozen witnesses, there needs to be an increase in protests nationwide.

[Fred Sanders]

2. The focus for a couple of days needs to be on voter turnout and the value of a single voter.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. With the increase in voter registration

I'm hoping that there will be a lot of changes in Ferguson in any office they're getting to vote for this year.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. Ferguson City elections do not happend concurrently with Federal Elections

They are at a different time.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

12. Oh that's right, odd numbered years, isn't it?

Yet another measure to keep voting turnout low.

[Ivywoods55]

3. I agree with protest, BUT..

Black folks need to get off their behinds and VOTE to get some of these laws changed. State governments and legislative bodies, along with sheriff departments are just a few places that voting counts in our communities. Ferguson has the law enforcement they have because the Black community did not get out their voters and elect individuals who works to improve their community instead they got the government that someone else wanted them to have. An all white city council put in place in a 75 or 80% Black community is ludicrous. We need to learn how important voting is and just why voting in people who have our best interest counts, and this statement does not necessarily mean Democrats, who I know in this modern day can be cloaked in nice suits with friendly smiles while hiding white sheets and racist attitudes. Your post is great, thank you!

[heaven05]

5. black folks HAVE

Last edited Sat Nov 1, 2014, 10:08 AM - Edit history (2)

been off their behinds for generations, Frederick Douglas all the way to Martin Luther King, Jr., trying to get things to change. No real change yet and the changes that have happened are being turned back into Jim Crow status quo or repealed. Don't get me wrong we do need to vote, big time, Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Historically one of the most important elections in this 'democracy's' history but the sad fact is, a lot of people WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to vote because of current racist voter ID laws being unjustly enforced.

[Feral Child]

8. Indeed, heaven05.

It's been a hard slog, but I'd wager there's more effort and sweat poured into getting the vote out in black neighborhoods than anywhere else in white America.

[heaven05]

9. there better be

My question in the streets: You voting Tuesday....some blank stares, but a lot of affirmative. I hope it translates into victory for what's right and defeat for the GOP.

[Feral Child]

11. Yeppers. n/t

[cstanleytech]

15. But what about Ferguson though? I mean I know the republican have done

everything they can to gerrymander districts across the country in order to weaken the power of black voters but it doesnt explain Ferguson. After all with such a large % of the population being black you would think there wouldnt be so many whites on the council let alone in the police force.

[heaven05]

16. Okay

let's try is this way. Because of ferguson's justice system, an inordinate number of the black community has felonies. That was discussed earlier in this incident. They can't vote. That is intentional. The repugs are trying to do it and succeeding on a national level. But anyway the black population have a majority of the fines that keep ferguson's justice system humming along and the trumped up, in a lot of the cases, felonies. You can say that it's deserved, but I say not given the facts of administration of justice in this town. You have to remember a lot of facts came out about this town that did show exactly what the white folks there thought of their black population....I DO NOT trust any thing coming out of that system of justice unless it is found that wilson is guilty of first degree murder.

[cstanleytech]

17. Hmm I remember now reading about the fines and all but I didnt know oweing a fine means you cant

vote.

[heaven05]

18. I got to

go back and research things that I put into folders about that part of this travesty. I will find it, the folder. But please bear with me, I didn't title fines and black people in ferguson, which I see now was a mistake.

[cstanleytech]

19. NP, if you are right it could explain the disparity of the council though. nt

[GGJohn]

10. Meh!!!

After his shameful performance with the Tawana Brawley and Duke LaCrosse incidents, I have a hard time believing anything the Rev. Sharpton has to say, but I do agree that there needs to be Federal civil rights charges brought against this officer.

[heaven05]

13. Yeah I hear you

while he did jump the gun a bit and given the nature of the beast that IS racism in this country, I who held those two 'incidents against him also, had to change my mind. Especially after being on this board for a while and watching some so called progressives and liberals make excuses for the murderers of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown among others. His transgressions against the 'justice' system of america seem not so egregious. He IS RIGHT about this one.

[GGJohn]

14. I do believe you and I have reached an agreement!!

[Supersedeas]

20. Consensus is a good thang

[Odin2005]

21. The Reddit thread on this story is full of comments from unapologetic Stormfronters.

[Calista241]

22. The Feds can't arbitrarily decide to prosecute one case and not

Prosecute others. The narrow exception is civil rights cases, where someone's civil rights are violated. You can argue whether Michael Brown's civil rights were violated, but you still won't be able to charge him with murder in federal court.

In general only crimes that cross state lines, or take place in multiple jurisdictions are eligible for prosecution in federal courts.

You would think Reverand Al would know this.