On February 2nd a Black mother of two was gunned down by the Emeryville Police Department after being confronted by a security guard at Home Depot for alleged shoplifting. Yuvette Henderson was murdered in a hail of gunfire by police armed with AR-15 military-grade machine guns.

Since that day, many in our community have asked - why does a police department with a small number of officers, patrolling a community of less than 11,000, need military-grade assault weapons? Are the people of Emeryville any safer because of it?

On Sunday December 13th the Anti Police-Terror Project will host a public forum to examine the militarization of local police departments and the implications for public safety. Where do these weapons come from? Who pays the bill for expensive toys like this armored personnel carrier purchased by a police department in Florida? And who benefits?

We’ll also explore the ways that agencies like the Pentagon have played a role in accelerating the militarization of local police departments, as well as the direct connection between the Oakland Police Department and the Israeli Defense Force. Policy experts and local activists will examine the impact of coordination between police and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Latino communities.

The day will also feature spoken word and music performances highlighting the damage done by police violence. This forum is the launch of a broader campaign to end militarization of the Emeryville Police Department, and will include opportunities to get involved.

Speakers and performers include:

Cat Brooks - Anti Police-Terror Project
Ras Ceylon
Yuvette's brother, Jamison
John Lindsay-Poland - American Friends Service Committee
Omar Ali - Arab Resource and Organizing Center
Opium Sabbah
Sagniche Salazar - Urban Shield
Alia Sharrief
Maddy Taylor - Standing Up for Racial Justice