07 | July | 2016 | The Obama Diary

#FalconHeightsShooting #AltonSterling Since there's graphic photos & videos on my tl, here's what we all want to see https://t.co/kBP4ZjwhvK
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Marie Rodríguez (@cakefacediosa) July 07, 2016

This little girl saying, "It's OK. I'm right here with you," to her mother who is literally dictating seeing her boyfriend's death is insane
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) July 07, 2016

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#PhilandoCastille's name trended most of last night. Here's what we know so far about his death. #FalconHeights washingtonpost.com/news/morning-m…
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Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 07, 2016

Family members mourn #AltonSterling at tonight's vigil. This is the Alton they remember: usat.ly/29j8jVe https://t.co/VUvM7olaas
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USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 07, 2016

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Want to play a small part? Donate to the #AltonSterling Family Scholarship Fund. *ALL* proceeds will go to his fam: gofundme.com/2d3eze7g
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Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 06, 2016

the backstory behind the bystander video of #AltonSterling's shooting washingtonpost.com/news/morning-m… https://t.co/NjJj1xdV4k
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Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 06, 2016

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White folks need to help other white folks understand the pain today. It's not our burden. We are in mourning. #AltonSterling
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Brittany Packnett☔️ (@MsPackyetti) July 06, 2016

I couldn't say this all in a tweet. My advice to fellow white Americans tonight. #FalconHeightsShooting https://t.co/N3I97iQ6jN
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(((Charles Clymer))) (@cmclymer) July 07, 2016

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We have fucking video proof and some of you still are all "well, uh, he shouldn't have moved his left leg so provocatively".
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John Legend (@johnlegend) July 07, 2016

We should not have to jump through hoops to prove black people shouldn't be shot by police during routine traffic stops.
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John Legend (@johnlegend) July 07, 2016

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Know somebody close to you that thinks police brutality is a myth? Show them evidence! Educate your friends, family etc. Every little helps.
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Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) July 07, 2016

Don't stand for racism in your home, don't tolerate ignorance because you're not confrontational, fight it. It's our responsibility.
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Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) July 07, 2016

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So many people work so hard to find a reason why executing a human being during a routine traffic stop is ok. IT'S NOT OK
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John Legend (@johnlegend) July 07, 2016

And it's gross how in all these videos the cops don't bother with medical attention. They don't care about us.
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roxane gay (@rgay) July 07, 2016

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Truth

It's YOUR fathers/mothers/siblings turning off their bodycams, shooting unarmed civilians and acquitting the guilty. Confront them!
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Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) July 07, 2016

You wanna help? FIX YOUR COMMUNITY. Everything starts at home, don't allow ignorance and racism to find their way into uniforms.
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Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) July 07, 2016

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What you can to do help

1) Do you know your city's police accountability procedures?
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

2) Do your police have any provisions for citizen oversight?
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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3) Is there a civilian oversight panel to review police shootings and misconduct?
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

4) if you do not know this you can google your city with police accountability/review procedures
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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5) what is the threshold for indicting police for misconduct? Example: in Seattle (where I live) you have to prove willful malice.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

6) Do your police have body cameras?
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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7) When you do your research, if you don't like the answers to these questions, if they do not hold police accountable, here's what u can do
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

8) Demand your city council member make police reform a priority. If they won't, vote them out - recruit friends to do the same.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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9) Demand that your mayor do the same. If he/she won't vote them out & recruit friends to do the same.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

10) Do not give money or votes to any candidate who will not make police reform a priority. Make sure they know that is a requirement
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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11) Demand that your sheriff and local DA's office do the same.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

12) just google your city name + city council - all the contact info should be there.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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13) along with phone numbers, email addresses - all the info u need to remind them that black lives WILL matter whether they want it or not
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

14) Do this today, do this tomorrow, do this every day like your life depends on it - ours actually does.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

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Police reform should be on the lips of every local politician in this country bc they should know they will not get your support without it
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016

Ok? I shouldn't have to do this. I shouldn't have to process this and lay it all out while I'm fucking crying but I did so take some action.
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Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) July 07, 2016