OntheWilderSide

If you can show up to help Diane White in her fight against police brutality in Harrisburg, PA:

Oct. 25th at 5:30 – Come to the Harrisburg Public Safety meeting, to advocate for a Citizen’s Review Board to monitor the police.

Nov. 27th at 9:15 – Come to the preliminary hearing regarding Diane’s case. It will take place at the Dauphin County Prison.

See a news video about the situation here.

Support Diane’s comprehensive, ongoing project for healing in the world [web-site down] It WAS the Pennsylvania African American Heritage Preservation and Restoration Society web-site. (Diane lost this web-site due to computer problems, etc.)

A message from Diane White, my Green Party friend from Pennsylvania, who was wrongfully arrested and abused by a Harrisburg police officer:

First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank those individuals who have been supporting me financially, morally and spirituality. Our collective energies and faith in all that is good and righteous will truly triumph over the evil which abounds us. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” -Isaiah 54:17

My preliminary hearing has been set for November 27th, 2007 at 9:15 at the Dauphin County Prison. To date there has been no action taken on the Citizen’s Complaint filed against the Harrisburg Police department. I remain on pre-trial supervision. I am unable to return to work, I continue to receive treatment for my spinal and ankle injury. I still have a knot on my right temple and I am financially unable to pay my bills. My witnesses and neighbor have informed me that they are being harassed by Officer Chance. I am reliving this experience of what happened to me every morning when I wake up and turn on my TV–the women being tazed, woman dying at the airport, the 15 year old being sprayed and punched.Everytime I leave my house I hear more horror stories about police beating women and getting away with it. There is no doubt that my life is in danger from these men who get pleasure out of abusing women.

The individuals who have been involved in the McCormick Island incident have already gone to court, and yet my preliminary hearing will not occur for another month. Now that those individuals have had their day in court, I will be asking that the ACLU reconsider my case. Those people have money and the financial resources to deal with a system which is already sympathetic to them. I do not. I have been attempting to contact legal aid, however they have not returned any of my calls. I will continue my calls. I have also registered with the public defenders office.

Harrisburg City Councilperson Patty Kim says she thinks we need a Citizen’s Review Board and has placed the issue on the agenda for the meeting of October 25th at 5:30. I trust that she is seeking input from agencies like the NAACP, the ACLU, PA Human Relations Commission, The DOJ Taskforce, Former Police Officers, ACORN, and other citizens who have been the victim of abuse. I personally have not heard from her, nor have I heard from anyone else who has a vested interest in the outcome of such a meeting. Patty Kim’s website has been taken down and there is no mention of her desire to involve the public in the media. I trust that those of you who are in a position to help with this issue have remained vigilent. I am also trusting that you will be in attendance at the October 25th, Public Safety meeting and I hope that you will be submitting your request to speak and present evidence beyond the 2 minute time limits we are routinely given.

As I listen to Anita Hill being interviewed by CNN, I can only reiterate what she is saying, It’s hard enough to stand up for your rights without having to deal with the chilling effect of those in positions of power who want to delay and deflect the truth.

If nothing else, keep me in your prayers as I continue in this struggle for social justice, not only for my self, but for the over 50 complaints against the Harrisburg Police this year, not to mention all the complaints before mine that have not been investigated or resolved. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Peace,
Diane F. White
Harrisburg, PA

Filed under: Green Party Websites, social & economic justice Tagged: | Anita Hill, Citizens Review Board, court, Criminal Justice, Harrisburg, police brutality, Uncategorized