Trayvon Martin Rallys in Seattle

The Seattle King County NAACP thanks all of those who came out to our rally for Trayvon Martin. It is critical that we do not forget victims of senseless violence. As this year goes on, it has become more and more apparent that lynchings still occur in the United States of America. Each week, it seems as though there is a new story about an un armed person of color who is shot and color. Just this past week in Tulsa Oklahoma, three African American men were shot and killed while walking down the street of their home town. We must resolve to change this.

Let's get active!!!!!

TRAYVON MARTIN MARCH AND RALLY SATURDAY 4/7/12 @ 3:00 P.M.

Trayvon Martin March and
Rally!!! Saturday at 3:00 p.m.


Sponsors:
Seattle King County
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)Mount Zion
Baptist ChurchNo New Jim Crow in Seattle Campaign-CoalitionArtwork by
Amaryllis DeJesus Moleski...
Martin Luther King, Jr. County Justice for Trayvon Martin Committee

*We ask the public for assistance in bringing personal video cameras and media devices to independently document the day of events*Rally at 3:00pmWe will gather at the North corner of 19th and Madison. March at 3:30pm toWestlake Park401 Pine
Street Seattle, WA 98101Enough is enough. The calls for justice must
spread.Following the news these days is like witnessing a parade of
horrors. Trayvon Martin, Shaima Alawadi and others are the latest victims of a
deeply bigoted society, and their killings are the bitter fruits of the most
recent trends in institutional racism.On March 14, a few weeks after
Trayvon's murder, police in Del City, Okla., killed Dane Scott Jr., an
18-year-old Black man, after pulling him over for a traffic stop. Scott--who the
cops say was armed when they killed him, although no weapon has been
produced--was shot in the back by police. He is among the latest African
Americans killed by police this year, in a long list that includes Ramarley
Graham in New York City, and Stephon Watts and Rekia Boyd in
Chicago.Then came the murder of Shaima Alawadi on March 21, one week
after Dane Scott Jr. died.The mother of five was viciously beaten into
unconsciousness with a tire iron in her home in El Cajon, Calif. She died five
days later after being removed from life support. According to Shaima's
daughter, who discovered her mother's body, the killer left a note near Shaima,
an Iraqi Muslim who wore a hijab, which read in part, "Go back to your country,
you terrorist."Michelle Alexander had this powerful call to
action:"Is this 1962 or 2012? The fact that the Justice Department has
to step in and investigate a vigilante killing of a black teenager -- because
the local authorities refuse to arrest the killer -- is more than a little
reminiscent of an era we supposedly left behind.People have been asking
me "what can I do besides sign online petitions?" There's a whole lot people can
do. We've got to get serious about consciousness-raising and organizing in our
communities.We've got to move beyond these bursts of outrage in response
to travesties of justice (think Troy Davis, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, and Trayvon
Martin) and awaken to the reality that Jim Crow justice is alive and
well.These aren't isolated, disconnected events. Use this tragedy to
start a broader conversation in your school, your place of worship, your
workplace, or your community center, about what is necessary to end this new Jim
Crow system -- a system that our nation keeps pretending doesn't really
exist.Honor Trayvon's memory by challenging yourself to do more -- to
make a real commitment to join or begin a movement for justice right where you
are, wherever you are. Outrage is not enough."

The Seattle King County NAACP celebrates 98 years of protecting the civil and human rights.

When: March, 19, 2011 @ 6:00 p.m.
Where: First AME Church, 1522 14th Avenue, Seattle WA 98122


Please join us as we celebrate our triumphant past and prepare for the future.

Hilary O. Shelton, one of the most powerful figures in national and international politics will be our key note speaker. Mr. Shelton is the National Field Director for the NAACP and has had the ear of Presidents, Senators and others of political influence. In an era where the government is contemplating significant budget cuts, it is critical that we force politicians to focus on the human condition.

AOW NAACP PASSES A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF BARRY MASSEY!!!!!

Resolution supporting the immediate release of Barry Massey and opposition to the imposition of life without the possibility of parole sentences for juveniles.

Whereas the NAACP has passed a national resolution which opposes life without the possibility of parole sentences for juveniles;

Whereas it has been long recognized that many children have not yet developed to the degree that they fully understand the consequences for their actions. (example: we don’t give licenses to those under sixteen and we don’t grant children under the age of 18 the right to vote) ;

Whereas Barry Massey was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at the tender age of thirteen;

Whereas Barry Massey has served twenty three years in prison and has had very few infractions;

Whereas Barry Massey has worked hard to be a positive influence while in prison through joining the Black Prisoners Caucus and speaking to community youth;

Whereas many community members, social justice advocates and others familiar with Barry Massey and the prison system spoke out on behalf of Barry Massed during his clemency hearing;

Whereas the clemency board of the State of Washington voted 4 to 1 to approve the clemency petition of Barry Massey;

Whereas the Governor of the State of Washington rejected Barry Massey’s petition for clemency approximately two years ago;

Whereas Barry Massey is prepared to be a positive contributing member of the public

Therefore, be it resolved that the AOW State Conference and the individual branches work toward the release of Barry Massey from the Washington State Prison System;

Therefore, be it further resolved that the President of the AOW, Legal Redress for the AOW and the President or representative from the Tacoma Branch meet with the governor of Washington State to request release of Barry Massey from prison;

Therefore, be it further resolved that a letter be written on behalf of the AOW state conference requesting that the Governor of the State of Washington grant clemency to Barry Massey;

Therefore, be it further resolved that the AOW make it’s position in reference to Barry Massey known to the general public;

Therefore, be it further resolved that the AOW work with other groups that are in support of release of Barry Massey and the elimination of life without the possibility of parole sentences for juveniles that have been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

NAACP SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE REFORM THAT INCLUDES AN EXPANSION OF COVERAGE TO ALL AMERICANS AND ELIMINATES RACIAL HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES

From Hilary O. Shelton, Director of Washington Bureau NAACP

THE ISSUE:

Too many Americans today are straining under the burden of two related trends: shrinking health care coverage and rising health care costs. Over the last decade, millions of Americans have found themselves uninsured, and millions more have become under-insured as the value of their coverage has declined. In the years 2008-2010, it is estimated that approximately 6,000 people a day, or almost 7 million Americans total, will lose their health insurance. At the same time, health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs have risen steadily, and the number of families who are facing high health care costs continue to grow. In fact, nearly one in four non-elderly Americans are in families that will spend more than 10% of their pre-tax dollars on health care in 2009, and the vast majority of them (more than 82%) have health care insurance. Furthermore, in the United States today the color of your skin, your ethnic background and where you live can not only influence your health care access and quality; they can determine them. And while medical science has made a lot of advances over the last 10 years, the gains made by discovery of new drugs and treatment have not passed on to all segments of our population.

Health care reform is currently moving through Congress, and the NAACP is working hard to ensure that the final product has the following four elements: (1) full health care coverage that is affordable to every individual, family and business which also provides coverage for pre-existing conditions; (2) Standard, comprehensive health care benefits that meet everyone's needs from preventitive to chronic care; (3) The choice of a private or public health care plan, which includes a new public health care plan that will provide a guaranteed backup which will always be there to ensure quality, affordable health care coverage no matter what; and (4) Equity in health care access, treatment, research, and resources to people and communities of color and stronger health services in low income communities.

CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE AND URGE THEM TO PASS COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE THAT OFFERS AFFORDABLE QUALITY CARE TO ALL AMERICANS AND ELIMINATES RACIAL HEALTH DISPARITIES

To send an email go to www.senate.gov; click "find your senators" look up your senators by state; go to their websites for email addresses

To Send an email to your Representative, go to www.house.gov and click on "write your representative.

To call your Senators and Representative call (202) 224-3121

African American Juvenile Probation Officer Found Not Guilty of Assaulting Seattle Police Officer

Yvette Gaston, a King County Juvenile Probation Counselor who has dedicated the past twelve years of her life to helping troubled children was found not guilty of obstructing Justice and assault of a police officer. In September of last year, Yvette Gaston secured a clothing voucher through her job so that she could help a child on her case load get school clothes. After securing the voucher she met the young man in downtown Seattle at Sears. After she got school clothes for the young man, she dropped him off on 23rd and Jackson. 23rd and Jackson is an area traditionally known as the Central District (CD). The CD has traditionally been the community of color in Seattle. It has long been known as a refuge for African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos and Asian populations.

Shortly after dropping the young man off, he was approached by police officers who accused him of stealing his school clothes, throwing rocks and jaywalking. The young man called the one person who could vouch for his whereabouts and the fact that he had legally obtained the clothing.....his probation counselor. After the young man reached Yvette Gaston, he handed the phone to one of the officers. Yvette attempted to explain and reason with the officer over the phone. To her surprise she was met with an angry and aggressive tone. The officer told her that the young man was being "lippy" and that he was going to show him how we "operate things in the CD."

The statements of the officer caused Gaston great concern. In recent years there has been a great deal of concern about police misconduct and racial profiling in Seattle. She made the courageous decision to go back to 23rd and Jackson and bear witness to the "incident." Upon arrival, she saw that the young man had been handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car. (witnesses would later say that the officers had handled the young man in a very rough and unnecessary manner). Yvette approached the officers, showed them her badge and asked if they were really arresting this young man for jaywalking. An officer quickly approached Gaston and accused her of assaulting a police officer. She was so disturbed with the officers actions that she eventually called 911 herself. The Sargent on the scene eventually took the phone from her and essentially instructed the officer to disregard the call.

Shortly after bringing this issue forward through the NAACP, Gaston was charged with assault and an obstruction allegation was later added. The Law Office of Joe St. Laurent and James Bible handled Gaston's case. After nearly 12 months and several pre trial hearings, the case was ready for trial. A jury quickly found Gaston not guilty. While the jury has exonerated Gaston of all charges, she still has many emotional scars that are a direct result of the way in which she was treated by the police.

We can't help but wonder what things would have been like if Gaston was simply a concerned citizen who was interested in protecting the rights of a young man instead of a probation counselor. Would the Jury have sided with her even then?