UpFront

Why is it so hard to charge, prosecute and convict cops who kill? Plus, the pursuit of justice for Augie Gonsalez in Hayward and Sean Monterrosa in Vallejo

0:08 – Could there be another stimulus check? Will Republicans block an extension of the paycheck protection program under the idea that the economy is recovering on its own? Mitch Jeserich, host of Letters & Politics weekdays at 10AM, joins us for “Mondays with Mitch.” We chat about new unemployment data and what it might mean for future aid packages, plus Black Lives Matter suing the White House over the violent removal of protesters in Lafayette Square, and House Democrats’ new “policing reform” bill.

0:34 – John Burris, longtime civil rights attorney who has represented families of people killed by police violence, joins us to talk about why it’s so hard to charge, prosecute and convict police. Burris is also involved in monitoring Oakland Police Department’s negotiated settlement agreement, enacted after a massive police misconduct lawsuit in 2003.

1:08 – Assemblymember Shirley Weber represents California’s District 79 and chairs the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has been outspoken this week against systemic racism in California and across the U.S. and talks about taking on police violence in state policy — including by changing the use of lethal force, making it easier to prosecute law enforcement and reforming an 1800s-era law that allowed police impunity after shooting people suspected of felonies.

1:34 – Augie Gonsalez Sr. talks about his son, Augie Gonsalez, a 29-year-old man shot and killed by Hayward Police on November 15, 2018. The Gonsalez family has been fighting for justice and an independent investigation for over a year.

1:45 – Sean Monterrosa, 22, was shot and killed on his knees last week by a Vallejo police officer. Lisa Davis, lead organizer for the Justice Coalition of Vallejo, talks about the struggle for justice for Sean and all of the recent victims of Vallejo’s police department.