To commemorate the day, July 8, 2010, when the officer who killed Oscar Grant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and Oscar’s mother, the Love Not Blood Campaign, founded by Oscar Grant’s “Uncle Bobby,” Cephus Johnson, hosted Verdict Day on Sunday, July 7, in Oakland, Ca. The day’s conversation explored families impacted by police terror and police accountability. Sister Beatrice X, Cephus Johnson and Davey D were the moderators. Individuals who spoke were:
Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant; Rosemary Duenez, mother of Ernesto Duenez Jr.; Denise Friday, mother of Colby Friday; Taun Hall, mother of Miles Hall; Yolanda Banks Reed, mother of Sahleem Tindle; Karla Gonsalez, mother of Agustin Gonsalez; Sequette Clark, mother of Stephon Clark; and Dionne Smith, mother of James Rivera. The panelists were John Burris, Minister Keith Muhammad and Cat Brooks.