The organization with which the Rev. Nelson Johnson is affiliated-- the Beloved Community Center-- makes a mockery of itself by staging a demonstration on behalf of convicted GPD officer Ahmed Blake. And the basis for doing so seems pretty flimsy.
In Greensboro, we thought that we had seen everything; but new events always seem to overtake those that had already passed.
It appears that a certain recent expression of regret might have failed to slow down the perpetual grievance machine.
What are they protesting? The assault statute? Take it to the legislature. Equal protection means the laws apply equally to everyone, including police officers.
He says he is not guilty, then let a jury decide. You know, a jury that has no vested interest in the corrupt and racist GPD that Nelson speaks of.
Posted by: Spag | July 14, 2009 at 08:19 PM
The mockery of itself comes from having condemned Blake last year when defending a gang leader. They are so tangled up in their myopic agenda that they cannot even see when they are tripping over the facts.
Posted by: Ronnie Kray | July 14, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Perhaps the best response is total silence. Let's move on and leave this rabble behind.
Posted by: Concerned citizen | July 14, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Concerned, I would like to move on, but unfortunately these Pulpit Forum folks will not do so, and the media will continue to give them the coverage they seek.
That's interesting, Ronnie. Tell us more if you feel led to do so.
Sam, they are protesting because Blake's termination hearing is coming up within the GPD. It has been exceedingly difficult in recent years to terminate certain GPD officers; and apparently they are trying to continue in this tradition.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 14, 2009 at 09:40 PM
I get that Joe. My comment was sarcastic. What are they actually protesting? That he is being treated like any other cop convicted of assault?
Posted by: Spag | July 14, 2009 at 10:29 PM
I still can't understand why he wasn't fired the morning after. Why didn't the BCC protest for Scott Sanders who was treated in such an unfair manner?
Posted by: brandonB | July 14, 2009 at 10:35 PM
A couple of weeks ago I posted a comment on the YES Weekly blog asking Jordan Green a couple of questions. He is drawing connections between what happened in Nov. of 1979 to Mike Barber's comments on the Latin Kings and Queens. Jordan Green, whom I believe is a thorough and factually accurate reporter (and a damn good writer), continues to refer to the Latin Kings as a "street organization." I asked him first what connections he saw between events in 1979 and the questioning by Mike Barber of the Latin Kings and Queens. I also asked Jordan what exactly a "street organization" was, and how specifically it differed from a "gang."
No response as of yet.
Posted by: John | July 14, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Sam, the protest is that he has been unfairly maligned and singled out because of his courageous stance against alleged anti-Latino bias within the GPD. It is almost surreal.
Brandon, there have unfortunately been, by all appearances, two different standards applied to discipline against GPD officers in recent years. The more punitive, arbitrary standard of the two apparently was applied to Sanders. At the GPD, on the other hand, "due process"-- exalted by some parties-- has protected some officers who perhaps should not have been protected.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 14, 2009 at 10:59 PM
John, you know what a "street organization" is. The members go around sweeping the streets, making things nice and clean, mentoring young boys to be law-abiding citizens, planting flowers and shrubs, that kind of thing. It is a community service/ neighborhood improvement effort.:)
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Tawana Brawley, the Jena 6, now the Blake case. Will Al Sharpton be here for the demonstration?
Posted by: Ken Hill | July 15, 2009 at 07:29 AM
I found it hilarious when Jorge Cornell says in Yes a few weeks ago that he found out about a couple of latin kings who were involved in conduct unbecoming of a king, and he threw them out. Then he goes on to dare the police to find any criminals in his organization. Here is a message for Mr. Cornell, if he ever googles his name: If you want anyone to take you seriously, you really need to distance yourself from the likes of Nelson Johnson who seeks to destroy unity in our great community. If you want your group to be accepted, then be open and honest about your organization.
I think that is their game. If you read up on the latin kings national website, you find a bunch of mumbo jumbo about reclaiming the kingdom and a bunch of other nonsense. I still can't figure out what the LK is all about, other than gang beatings, shootings, and drugs.
Posted by: brandonB | July 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM