On October 22nd, 2005, about 80 people gathered at Emma Prusch Farm Park on King and Story Roads in East San José, CA for a march and rally against police brutality. In doing so, San José joined thousands across the nation on the 10th annual day of "Protest to Stop Police Brutality" for the first time. The protest was held in East San José to draw attention to the escalation in deadly force that has been used by the San José Police Department in recent years. The day was especially meaningful because family members of victims were at the forefront in organizing this event, meeting up on weekends and after their work shifts to plan it out.
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Indybay.org's Report About October 22nd in San Jose and the US
Saturday, October 22nd, 2005 was the 10th Annual National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. Police continue to brutally beat and kill people all over the United States, including in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. Muslim, Arab, and South Asian immigrants are still being arrested, detained, and deported. Every year, people wear black on October 22nd to remember people who have died at the hands of the police. The October 22nd Coalition is part of the Stolen Lives Project, which documents cases of people who have died at the hands of law enforcement, and it says that murder by police is increasing. The "Presente" tradition of October 22nd | List of endorsers for October 22nd, 2005
In San Jose, some 75 people gathered for a rally and march in Emma Prusch Farm Park.
In Fresno, a Vigil For Lives Stolen by Police in the Valley was held on Saturday at 5:30 pm, at the park in front of the Main Library.
On Sunday, October 23rd, a Civil Rights Cookout was held at the Idriss Stelley Foundation offices in San Francisco. Report
On October 22nd, a Copwatch conference San Diego was attended by nearly 100 people. In Los Angeles, over 300 people attended a march that was stalled by a bomb scare. At around 4:00, there was a conflict between demonstrators and the police. Two teenagers were arrested. March organizers said, "It is time to hold the murdering police accountable for the stolen lives of our loved ones! We must stand up against this system’s war on the people here in Los Angeles and all over the world! It is time to demand justice for all Stolen Lives!" There was also a march to the police department in Santa Ana. The march was met by police on horses. Report and Photos
In New York City, 100 people braved the rain forecast to carry on with the scheduled protest. Photos Many carried hand-drawn signs with photos of loved ones who had been killed by police.
Many other cities held October 22nd protests: Greensboro, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Washington, DC; Cleveland, Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin were amongst them. Read more on the National October 22nd website
Past Indybay Coverage of October 22nd Protests