This year October 22, 23, and 24 were days of resistance against police murder, brutality and terror in New York City as family members of people killed by police traveled from around the country to speak the names of their loved ones and demand justice for all those murdered by police, and an end to this terror once and for all. World Can’t Wait was proud to represent at the marches and by supporting the movement in advance by raising more than $8,000 to cover family travel expenses.
The overall goal of $100,000 was met and the campaign has been extended to raise funds needed to build the movement (find out more here). Volunteer to help the Stop Mass Incarceration Network.
USA Today: Groups plan three days of NYC protests against officer-involved killings
On October 22, the annual Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation, families gathered in Times Square to read the names and tell the stories of their loved ones’ stolen lives. Eve Ensler, Gina Belafonte, Oscar-winning director Quentin Tarantino and other luminaries participated in reading the hundreds of names.
On Friday, a small but determined band of protesters blocked the entrance to Rikers Island, temporarily shutting down this notorious debtors’ prison and symbol of everything wrong with the criminal (in)justice system. 19 were arrested, including Carl Dix, Rev. Stephen Phelps, Sunsara Taylor, and students from Columbia University.
VIDEO: Protestors Shut Down Rikers Island
Saturday, protesters from around the country marched with Stolen Lives families at the front. The message “Which Side Are You On?” resonated particularly strongly as those still suffering and mourning the loss of their loved ones called for justice. Quentin Tarantino was moved to speak about all the stories being told, saying, “This is not being dealt with in any way at all. That’s why we are out here. If it was being dealt with, then these murdering cops would be in jail or at least be facing charges… I’m a human being with a conscience… When I see murders, I do not stand by… I have to call a murder a murder, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.” Because of his celebrity profile and the moral clarity of his statement, Tarantino was singled out for threats by the head of the NYPD police union, followed by other police departments and unions around the country. Ironically, this has only led to more attention on the issue and the protest against police terror, though it is intended to silence Tarantino and keep any other people against police murder from speaking out. See The New York Times: Quentin Tarantino Backlash Continues Among Police Groups.
Comprehensive List of Press Coverage of Rise Up October
#RiseUpOctober Supporters Defend Quentin Tarantino’s Freedom Of Speech
Carl Dix Challenges Patrick Lynch to Debate
After October 24, Cornel West and Carl Dix, leaders of The Stop Mass Incarceration Network, issued the following call to everyone who participated and everyone inspired by Rise Up October:
Brothers and sisters, fellow resisters:
You are beautiful. You have straightened your backs and can inspire millions of others.
The spirit of Rise Up must go forward—— and that spirit needs to be made manifest in STRUGGLE and ORGANIZATION.
Be out there on November 22, the anniversary of Tamir Rice’s murder.
Be out there November 27, to actively boycott Black Friday.
Be out there December 3, one year after the cops who murdered Eric Garner were exonerated.
Be out there, making a powerful force of the voices of the relatives of those murdered by police.
Be out there, carrying forward the struggle to shut down Rikers Island.
And be there this next month, at organizing meetings of Rise Up.
POLICE MURDER AND TERROR MUST STOP!
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
www.stopmassincarceration.net / 646-709-1961