Community and Media Release

BLACK JUSTICE TUESDAY
(Protest at Houston City Hall)


OnTuesday, February 15, 2011 at 12 noon, The National Black United Front and a coalition of community organizations and individuals have scheduled a protest at the City of Houston, City Hall, 901 Bagby, regarding the police beating of Chad Holley. The beating of Chad Holley is part of a systemic system of corruption in the Houston Police Department and the U.S. ;there is national outrage over the withholding of the video and of the misdemeanor charges meted out to four of the police officer involved.

At the community townhall meeting at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church Tuesday , February 8, 2011 Mayor Annise Parker told the community she does not support a Civilian Review Board with subpoena power, prosecutorial power and proper funding . Several community demands have been made of the mayor and city council. (see attached community demands)

We are calling on all people in the Houston area who are outraged to come out in support of the community call for justice. You may also support locally and nationally by asking that local officials support the community demands.


POLICE BRUTALITY IN HOUSTON
COMMUNITY DEMANDS

The taped beating of Chad Holley by the Houston Police Department (HPD) is one in a long line of police brutality/murder cases in Houston and across the country including: Bobby Joe Conner, Jose Campos Torres, Ida Delaney, Byron Gillum, Robbie Tolan, Rodney King, Abner Louima, Oscar Grant, Amadou Diallo and countless others.

1. The Texas State Legislature immediately pass a bill requiring cities and municipalities to establish independent civilian review boards with subpoena power, proper funding and prosecutorial power. The Mayor of Houston Annise Parker , Police Chief McCelland and Houston City Council should publicly support this bill.

2. The Texas State Legislature make changes to laws which allow law enforcement officers to receive less punishment, they should be held to a higher standard..

3. The Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos should immediately revisit the prosecution of Officers involved in the Chad Holley case for the purpose of enhancing charges from official oppression to aggravated assault.

4. The Mayor of Houston and City Council should pass appropriate ordinance to require all city employees to live in the city of Houston specifically HPD employees.

5. The Houston Police Department training and guidelines must be open for community scrutiny and input.

6. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department immediately open an investigation in the Chad Holley case and prosecute all Houston Police Officers involved in the case with civil rights violations.

7. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department establish national guidelines for police conduct with community input and severe penalties for violating said guidelines.



Houston and Harris County Officials

Mayor Annise Parker

City of Houston

P.O. Box 1562

Houston, Texas 77251

713-837-0311

mayor@houstontx.gov



Parker Campaign

P.O. Box 66513

Houston, Texas 77266

713-861-6464



Harris County District Attorney

Pat Lykos

1201 Franklin Street Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77002-1923

713-755-5800



Greater Houston Partnership

Chairman of the Board Larry Kellner

President & CEO Jeff Moseley

1200 Smith Street Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002-4400

7th Floor Two Allen Center

713-844-3600

713-844-0200 FAX

partnership@houston.org