Black Lives Matter Sacramento

PUBLIC STATEMENT

NOVEMBER 15, 2016

On May 18th, Nyree Holmes of Elk Grove, was escorted by Sacramento Sheriff school resource officers, from his graduation for refusing to remove his Kente Cloth. A symbol from Ghana thats colors represent things such as prosperity, good health, and longevity. 

So we stumbled across a great piece of work created by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 

No we aint vouchin for the dems. But the information inside of it was golden, with sources cited and everything.

As soon as we graced Scott Jones neighborhood with our presence, and some essential literature that included the link to this pdf document, the document vanished.

September was ridiculous!

Back to back to back police killings of Black folks.

As Black folks, how much can we take without having anxiety and depression. Those of us that are more oppressed feeling PTSD from being targeted regularly in the places they call home. Heavily gentrified while folks call the police, and we end up dead as a result.

There are no more safe spaces for us.

#genocide

This month we had a young boy of 13 #TyreKing of Ohio, shot in his back by police who claimed he aimed a gun at them. He had a bb gun in an open carry state and was shot in his back. Which means he was running, and not pointing a gun. A 40 year old North Carolina man #KeithLamontScott was killed while reading a book in his car waiting for his child to get out of school. Another man in Oklahoma #TerenceCrutchner was called a "scary looking dude" as he complied and lay on the ground tazed. Then murdered. How much more can we take?

This month was hard. Hard doesn't even describe what it was.

All the way up until the last day of the month where a man #ReginaldThomas in Pasadena California called 911 for help because of a bipolar episode he was having, and they beat and killed him when they came out to his call for help. 

We are going to start posting the names of Black folks killed by police, by the month. #perspective

PRESS ADVISORY
September 19, 2016

INFILTRATE!

Today begins the August campaign of "Infiltrate Oak Park."

What does that word mean to you? Is it powerful? Does it get your attention?

It should. What it should not do is create fear.

Black and Brown folks spend a lot of time being taken out of context...

On the street

On the job

In our skin

On television

Often we are misunderstood because it is easier for those in power to ignore that which makes us more than they can imagine. We are powerful and we have within us something they don't have and prefer not to understand. We make every effort to participate fully in our nation home, yet we must be on alert to be ready to defend our flesh. We do so to further our existence because it is difficult being brown in white spaces. We are choosy as to where we place our bodies because preserving our spirits and souls often takes precedence over educating those who do not wish to be educated

When you hear a person say "The struggle is real." Believe that, but.......

Don't question that.

If a person says their head hurts, is it your job to convince them otherwise? NO.

If a person says their wooden chair causes them pain, is it your job to suggest they find a softer chair? NO.

If we say we are not happy with the negative effects "urbanization" and gentrification have had on the lives of our people...Your job is to empathize with us and offer comfort through our pain. Do not chastise us for not "pulling up our bootstraps" or because we just could not "get over it." Please remain without judgement or "advice" geared toward stroking your own ego or soothing your privileged sensitivities to a problem that must eventually be addressed .

If we say the neighborhood association is ignoring the voices of the unheard, do you talk over us or explain why we are wrong?

NO. 

Your role in our battle is to offer empathy, not constructive criticism.

If this is a struggle for you, then know that we're not leaving.

Open heart. Open mind. Closed mouth.

This type of treatment is what causes people of color to steer clear of white spaces. We want to feel like we belong without being singled out as a novelty or something out of place. When we show up on the Wine Train, don't trip. We like to enjoy the same things you do. The color of our skin should not confuse you as to our presence. Where we belong is where we belong, and if that is right next to you at the next Neighborhood Association meeting, then so be it.

On April 8th Sacramento Police came into contact with Dazion Flenaugh. One Sacramento police officer made extremely careless choices, and created an unnecessary situation that lead to Dazions death.

Not once has this city council discussed the killing of this unarmed Black man.
Not once has his name been on the agenda.
Not once has the city ensured that his families voice was heard or that this incident was treated like Dazions life mattered..

To: Dr. Linda P.B. Katehi, Chancellor of University of California, Davis

From: Black Lives Matter Sacramento

An Open Letter to the UC Davis Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Students:

Black Lives Matter Sacramento has been diligently working to obtain justice for Adriene Ludd. Here is detailed report of our progress.