Thursday, November 15, 2007

UPDATED: New Black Panther Party conducts DART protest

By Janeane Anderson of Dallas Weekly

Updated 11:03 a.m., November 16, 2007

The whistle of the DART train heralded its arrival; throngs of people dodged one another and vied for space on the train’s platform. On Friday, Nov. 2, the Akard Street DART light-rail station was business as usual—except for the repeated chants of “jail the pig that killed the kid.”

15 members of the new Black Panther Party staged a protest in front the of the DART headquarters in response to the killing of 15-year-old Bobby Walker, Jr. on May 6, 2007. Party members were calling for DART police officer Niksha Owens to be fired and brought up on criminal charges.

According to protestors, Walker, who was unarmed, was unnecessarily gunned down by Owens at the Ledbetter DART light-rail station.

Currently, Owens is on paid administrative.

Party members said they were angered by what they call “insensitivity” on the part of DART and Dallas Police Department officials. They claim no formal apology, letter or answers were given to the Walker family.

“Who will come to Temeka Walker’s house and answer her questions about her dead son,” said Olinka Green, new Black Panther Party member and protestor.

Protestors also called for all DART employees to participate in diversity sensitivity training and learn about the different cultures they serve. They also encouraged bystanders to replace their apathy with sympathy and demand accountability from the authorities.

“This is not about racism. This is about humanity,” Green said.

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• Protests / Stickin' It To The Man
• Transportation > DART