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Sunday, April 27, 2008

IJSP: Peoples Justice & Domestic Workers United!

IJSP has been very busy the past month! Two of our main areas of work are providing support for Domestic Workers United (DWU) & the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Campaign, as well as our participation in the anti-law enforcement violence coalition: People's Justice (PJ).

On April 15th, IJSP members joined DWU and allies on a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights lobby day in Albany. With our participation in PJ, IJSP has been providing support for the family of Sean Bell who was killed in a hail of 50 bullets by the NYPD. 3 of the cops involved in the shooting got a pat on the back and walked free Friday and IJSP, via PJ, helped organize a speak-out, rally and march in Queens Friday night.

Check out the updates sent by DWU about the lobby day and by PJ about Friday's verdict and action - both below!

In the meantime - CONTACT US! to help with DWU outreach & PJ Copwatch/Know Your Rights campaign.


It is an angry, sad, and challenging time, but we find strength and inspiration in each other and our communities. We know we will continue to fight, struggle and love!!!

People's Justice: Brief Summary of Friday April 25th

photo from the Rally's march
The March After the Rally (courtesy: Indymedia.org)

Brief summary of Friday April 25th

  • Peoples Justice Rally for Justice for Sean Bell & All Victims of Police Brutality
  • 2 arrests following formal march

Following yesterday morning's announcement of Judge Cooperman's "not guilty on all counts" acquittal verdict of 3 of the 5 NYPD officers involved in the murder of Sean Bell, hundreds gathered in Queens to express their outrage. Disgusted by the trial process (determined by 1 judge rather than a jury), and the unjust outcome, the Peoples Justice rally began at 5:30pm by the Queens DA's office, with family members speaking of having lost loved ones to police brutality, and others speaking of personal experiences being victimized by law enforcement violence, including: Nicholas Heyward, Sr. spoke of his son - Nicholas Heyward, Jr. - murdered by the NYPD; members of Jayson Tirado's family; Juanita Young, mother of Malcolm Ferguson and founder of Parents Against Police Brutality; representatives of the Bushwick 32 case; Desis Rising Up & Moving, linking the struggle against police brutality to the struggle against the criminalization of immigrants. In addition to justice for Sean Bell and other specific cases, Peoples Justice is calling for an end to racist & militarized policing of our communities; the creation of a permanent independent prosecutor for all cases of police brutality in NYC; and increased efforts for community control of our safety through creation of community Cop Watch patrols and Know Your Rights work.

Peoples Justice moved the rally from the Queens DA's office with a march to Liverpool, the site of the 50-shot murder of Sean Bell and injuries to his friends Trent Benefield & Joseph Guzman. The unpermitted march, growing to 1,500 on Queens Boulevard, stopped traffic and was greeted by enormous support from community members along the way -- many joined the march; others honked their support from their cars, not seeming bothered to be stopped in traffic; others cheered from rooftops, apartments, stores, and buses.


At the closing rally on Liverpool (site of the shooting), about 500 vowed to continue the struggle for justice for Sean Bell & all victims of police brutality. Co-MC's Jessica Sanclemente (from the Justice Committee) and Thenjiwe McHarris (Malcolm X Grassroots Movement) reminded community members of the need to demand accountability of the police while also taking steps towards community control through Know Your Rights education and Cop Watch patrols. Those interested in developing their own Cop Watch patrols can contact the Justice Committee or Malcolm X Grassroots Movement for more information, and Peoples Justice can be contacted for more information about Know Your Rights training.

Following the close of the formal Peoples Justice march & rally, some continued with an impromptu march through parts of Jamaica, Queens. According to updates Peoples Justice received, at about 11:30pm, following the dispersal of one group at the 103rd Precinct, a protester was arrested as he was leaving, and a legal observer who tried to get badge information of the arresting officers was also arrested. After getting the news last night, Peoples Justice organizers secured an attorney to work with the 2 who were arrested, and also had several Peoples Justice organizers go to the 107th precinct where they were being held before being transported to Central Booking. The attorney attempted to have them released with DAT's (desk appearance tickets), which is often protocol in such cases. The NYPD refused. We expect that the 2 will be released today, and will post additional updates if community mobilization is required.

DWU: Albany Will Not Forget Us...

Albany Will Not Forget Us...
Whether it was those gold shirts, our live chants or our Domestic Slide -- its clear that Albany will not forget us. With a diverse contingent, four buses strong we were able to demonstrate with passion and energy our message and demands.

On April 15th, we met with 50 legislators, gaining commitments from many legislators and successfully telling our stories about why its time for a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. These stories came from students - over 40 young people came from schools/orgs like Boys and GIrls High School and Imani House. The stories came from ally organizations, with 60 representatives from long time supporters - JFREJ, JWJ, IJSP, Social Justice Leadership Institute, Make the Road NY and many many others. Faith organizations, law students, and of course, domestic workers. Domestic Worker Justice Coalition members were present, along with members of Domestic Workers United and took lead roles in all aspects of the days activities. At the end of the day, we all had a feeling of accomplishment, like one ally recently stated, 'it was a good kind of tired.'

We know we couldn't have done it without you. And, we know its far from over. After having organized, educated, mobilized we have more work to do. We have met with legislators, we have made changes to our bill to address concerns. We are still waiting for the passage of the Bill of Rights in the Assembly and Senate. We are still waiting for legislators to step up to the plate, in particular the leadership of this New York State Assembly and Senate to do the right thing. To do something.

May 20th, we will return to Albany. Did you have a good time on April 15th? Wanna be that good kind of tired again? Same place, same time: meet at 6am at Union Square, in front of Barnes and Noble on 17th street. Accesible by the N/R/Q/W/4/5/6 to Union Square. We will be holding prep trainings and will announce times and locations as soon as they're confirmed. If you would like to RSVP for May 20th please email us at: domesticworkersunited@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Get on the bus! April 15 or May 20

The major priority for IJSP and DWU right now is to mobilize people to go to Albany to get the Bill of Rights passed in the state legislature. The Bill of Rights is about getting paid vacation and sick days, notice and severance pay, protection from unjust firing and discrimination, and annual cost of living wage increases.

Join Domestic Workers United and its allies as we travel to Albany to support the bill on April 15 and May 20. Meet at 6am at Union Square, north side, in front of Barnes and Noble on 17th St.

As Erline (DWU member) says: "It's an experience. It's better than Disney World!"

To prepare for these Albany days, there are trainings scheduled on two Saturdays in April: April 5 and April 13. (You can come to either one.) The trainings will be helpful to anyone who hasn't been involved in this type of event before, or hasn't been deeply involved in DWU before; you'll learn what to expect, and what you can say and do during the legislative visits. The training will even include honing your Electric Slide skills!

Get in touch with Claire if you need more information.