It is a pleasure to meet like-souled individuals, who wish to belong to
a community that desires to share and shape hope, from what can be
savage and horrific happenings. Life, ever the Paradox in which Process
asks us to trust, is a challenge in many ways, a rich journey as well,
in which we unfold in fascinating ways.
Sincerely,
Margot Van Sluytman/Raven Speaks

Margot Van Sluytman, Poet, Calgary, Alberta
Award Winning Expressive Writing Facilitator
Member of  The National Association for Poetry Therapy
Member of the Society for Arts in Healthcare
http://www.MargotVanSluytman.com
http://www.Palabras-Press.com
http://www.Dance-With-Words.com
http://www.Sawbonna.com
to dance with words, is to be nourished~Margot Van Sluytman

Dear Sister Margot,

Although we have not met physically your voice resounds of the unique kinship of Womyn who share the burden of unspeakable loss

Some of us whither silently, others like you wonderful Sis transcend the shock and horror into a powerful healing tool for us all.

My heart w/ U!

As your voice is wider on the net, you will be labeled by unbelieving conservatives as an "attention whore" as Cindy Shehan, Candy of "Kristie's Law", Mary Neal and in a humbler way myself are labeled.

This is when we need each other, to fend self doubt and continue unabated !

A million Kudos to You Uncredible Sista !

In Unity & Respect
mesha
Idriss Stelley Foundation (ISF)

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9ewi/idrissstelleyfoundation
http://www.myspace.com/isfoundation/

Dear Sister Margot,

Your response I believe was meant to go to Mary Neal

Here is hae email address:
mneal000@yahoo.com,

Mary is also a very powerful writer and poet, I hipe you 2 connect ~

In Unity & Respect
mesha
Idriss Stelley Foundation (ISF)
_________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: [sawbonna] re: Margot's "Tears let me begin to speak."
Date: 4/6/2008 11:19:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    mvansluytman@yahoo.ca (Margot Van Sluytman)
Sender:    sawbonna@yahoogroups.com

Thank you so very much for your words about this poem AND about sharing an understanding that some of us have to speak.
I am so sorry about your brother.
Sincerely,
Margot/Raven Speaks

Subj: Re: Tears let me begin to speak.
Date: 4/6/2008 3:41:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    mneal000@yahoo.com (Mary Neal)
To:  Iolmisha@cs.com (IdrissStelleyFoundation)



Beautiful, poignant, bittersweet, and so descriptive of grief following the death of a loved one.  Thanks for sharing this.  

I like it that the writer understands the relevance -- the NEED -- to speak about her loved one's demise.  

I found solace in speaking about my brother's death, even though there is surprisingly little feedback from my audience.  This, of course, is because to address Larry's death, one would also have to address the duplicity, fraud, and treachery of The (Johnny) Cochran Firm.  

But speak, I must, and speak, I do, and speak, I will continue -- until justice comes..  

My heart aches at the poet's great loss, but I am glad that she gives voice to the suffering.

Mary Neal
Assistance to the Incarcerated Mentally Ill
P.O. Box 7222
Atlanta, GA  30357
website:  http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tears let me begin to speak.
Let me cast from my
Surging and full heart
The worry that does not
Want the tears to come.
Let me understand that
They must. The soul
Too needs voice.
I sit, looking at your
Picture, knowing that
The flesh that once
Housed you is no more.
And I know more.
I must dance in the
Grand savannahs and
Fly in among the clouds
That shape the very
Blue skies and my willingness
To be freed.
I must behold, with my tears
Veiling my yearning for
Your arms around me,
The new land. The green,
Richly ripe possibility
That calls to me.
Pressing silence
And poetry, supple
Wanting and fire
Burn the salty tears
Free. Freeing me
In this new landscape
Of loss and gain.

Copyright Margot Van Sluytman
From published book, Dance With Your Healing~tears let me begin to
speak~

Margot Van Sluytman, Poet, Calgary, Alberta
Award Winning Expressive Writing Facilitator
Member of  The National Association for Poetry Therapy
Member of the Society for Arts in Healthcare
http://www.MargotVanSluytman.com
http://www.Palabras-Press.com
http://www.Dance-With-Words.com
http://www.sawbonna.com
to dance with words, is to be nourished~Margot Van Sluytman

Hello Mesha, It is good that you will share this community with
others. I will share my poetry and experience here.  I am glad you
posted. For me this site is new and is, like everything else an
unfoldng Process. It will evolve and grow in the manner that time
permits.
Sincerely,
Margot
--- In sawbonna@yahoogroups.com, Iolmisha@... wrote:
>
> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sawbonna/
>
> This board is for sharing your journey with grief and healing.
> It is a place to share your voice.
> Your process.
> It is not a place
> for dogma,
> for debating,
> for preaching.
> It is a place where ears and hearts meet,
> via words,
> to offer support.
> Soul to Soul.
> ____________________________________________
>
> Dear Sister Margot,
>
> I would be happy to promote your yahoo!group as Idriss Stelley
foundation has
> various vast listserves and yahoogroups relevant to your work, that
I can
> share with you to send Evites directly from your site.
>
> Will you post some of your own poetry and work?
>
> I was hesitant to post so much yesterday, as I hope your site will
be
> interactive and providing vicarious healing online, and not self
serving for
> subscribers...
>
> Our foundation moderates over 90 such yahoogroups, and tend to
sometimes be
> crowded with self indulging publicity, and posting articles without
giving or
> requesting feedback ...
>
> For your interview, we can do it though email to be righfully
exhaustive
> about your work and accomplishments.
>
> I will publish it either on Changester or Indymedia, as SF Bayview
tends to
> focus on Black & Brown issues.
>
> In Unity & Respect
> mesha
> ISF
> (415) 595-8251
> ___________________________________________
> Date:   4/5/2008 4:53:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time
> From:    mvansluytman@... (Margot Van Sluytman - Raven Speaks)
> Reply-to: <A
HREF="mailto:sawbonna@yahoogroups.com">sawbonna@yahoogroups.com</A>
> To:    sawbonna@yahoogroups.com
>
> Welcome, Meshá Mongé-Irizarry,
>
> You have shared some powerful poetry
> and you are doing powerful work.
>
> Weaving dialogue that is steeped in hope,
> is important, necessary.
>
> I would like to be interviewed by you,
> and look forward to speaking.
>
> Sincerely,
> Margot
>
> Margot Van Sluytman, Poet, Calgary, Alberta
> Award Winning Expressive Writing Facilitator
> Member of The National Association for Poetry Therapy
> Member of the Society for Arts in Healthcare
>
> www.MargotVanSluytman.com
> www.Palabras-Press.com
> www.Dance-With-Words.com
>
> <IMG  SRC="http://www.margotvansluytman.com/images/raven.jpg"
WIDTH="126" HEIGHT="95" BORDER="0" DATASIZE="1515">
> To Dance with Words,
> is to Be Nourished
>
> Margot Van Sluytman
> <IMG  SRC="http://www.margotvansluytman.com/images/margot.jpg"
WIDTH="252" HEIGHT="378" BORDER="0" DATASIZE="5288">
>
> Margot Van Sluytman Poet | Publisher | Instructor ... Margot's
Poetry TV
> Series · Links
> http://www.margotvansluytman.com/
>
>
> --- In <A HREF="mailto:sawbonna%
40yahoogroups.com">sawbonna@yahoogroups.com</A>, "isfonelove"
<Iolmisha@> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Margot,
> >
> > We are based in SF, CA, and provide individual peer counseling
and
> > support groups for survivors of Police Violence and grieving
> families.
> >
> We also provide Cultural Awareness and grief counseling workshops
> in the Greater Bay Area
>
> In addition, Idriss Stelley Foundation provides low cost,
> professional translations services on a sliding scale, (4 to 13
cents a word)
> for folks who cannot afford usual market rates.
>
> I write for SF Bayview National Black Newspaper, and would love to
interview
> you
>
> In Unity & Respect
> meshá Mongé_Irizarry,
> iolmisha@...
> (415) 595-8251
>
> director of
>
>  * Idriss Stelley Foundation
>  * SF_Village_Voice Community Radio
>  * Education Not Incarceration SF Chapter
>
>
>
>
>     </HTML>
>

Welcome, Meshá Mongé-Irizarry, You have shared some powerful poetry
and you are doing powerful work. Weaving dialogue that is steeped in
hope, is important, necessary. I would like to be interviewed by you,
and look forward to speaking.
Sincerely,
Margot

Margot Van Sluytman, Poet, Calgary, Alberta
Award Winning Expressive Writing Facilitator
Member of  The National Association for Poetry Therapy
Member of the Society for Arts in Healthcare
www.MargotVanSluytman.com
www.Palabras-Press.com
www.Dance-With-Words.com
to dance with words, is to be nourished~Margot Van Sluytman


--- In sawbonna@yahoogroups.com, "isfonelove" <Iolmisha@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Margot,
>
>  We are based in SF, CA, and provide individual peer counseling and
> support groups for survivors of Police Violence and grieving
families.
>
> We also provide Cultural Awareness  and grief counseling workshops
in
> the Greater Bay Area
>
> Im addition, Idriss Stelley Foundation provides low cost,
> professional translations services on a sliding scale, (4 to 13
cents
> a word) for folks who cannot afford isial market rates.
>
> I write for SF Bayview National Black Newspaper, and would love to
> interview you
>
> In Unity & Respect
> meshá Mongé_Irizarry,
> iolmisha@...
> (415) 595-8251
>
> director of
>
> *  Idriss Stelley Foundation
> *  SF_Village_Voice Community Radio
> *  Education Not Incarceration SF Chapter
>
>     Host of:
> *  Free the Jena 6 SF Chapter
> *  Bayview CEDP (Campaign to End the Death Penalty)
>
>     Member of:
> *  Hurricane Relief Board
> *  SF Youth Empowerment Funding Advisory Board (DCYF)
> *  SF African American Community Policing Relations Board (AACPRB),
> south-east Branch
>
> * SF Bayview National Black Newspaper, Reporter sfbayview.com
> * Seeing_Black.com blogger, "BlackBrownUnitySista"
> * Proud to Be Black, blogger, "Kop Crimes"
> http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9ewi/proudtobeblack2/
>
> ____________________________________________________________________
>
> Idriss Stelley Foundation (ISF)
> Law Enforcement Accountability Direct Services
>
> Red Stone Building, Suite # 209,
> 2940 16th Street, SF CA 94110
>
> for an appointment, general support
> or Information & Referrals, please call:
> REPORT POLICE MISCONDUCT
> (415) 595-8251 National 24-HR Bilingual Hotline
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9ewi/idrissstelleyfoundation/
> http://www.myspace.com/isfoundation/
>
>
> iolmisha@... (IdrissStelleyFoundation)
> * ISF general mail box
> isf23@yahoogroups.com
> * ISF NEWS
> __________________________________________________________
>
> * Recently taking on Bay Area Police Watch, formerly a component
of
> Oakland Based Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
>
> Vision:
>
> Idriss Stelley Foundation (ISF)'s primary goals are:
>
> * To create systemic changes to End Law Enforcement brutality and
> Racially Biased Policing  through grassroots campaigns
> * and Empowering Victims and Survivors of law enforcement
misconduct,
> towards true social and racial justice for All.
> Tehnological support and professional development for organizations
> and individualss working to address police accountability
> * and organizing  grassroots campaigns and events to raise
awareness
> and create policy change.
>
> Background:
>
> ISF was created in 2003 through the settlement of Mesha Irizarry s
> vs. City & County and SFPD  and its allocation to mesha Monge-
> Irizarry, mother of Idriss Stelley.
>
>
> Her only child, 23  African American honor student was killed by
the
> San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) at the Sony Metreon on June
> 13, 2001, with 48 shots by 9 officers, as he stood alone in an
empty
> theater, experiencing an emotional breakdown.
>
> Idriss Stelley's case is at the root of:
>
> * the 40-HR mandatory SFPD Mental Health Training, ratified in SF
in
> March 2002,
> * and of the San Francisco Police reform proposition (Prop H)  that
> passed by a substantial margin on the November,  2003 San Francisco
> ballot .
>
> Description of Services:
>
> Direct Services for Victims and Family Members:
>
> *  24-HR trilingual Spanish/French/English crisis line
> *  Peer counseling
> *  Stolen Lives community altars for families of victims ion the
> greater Bay Area
> *  Volunteer and undergraduate program is offered for Youth who
want
> to acquire knowlege in grassroots action to End Police Brutality
> *  Emergency Fund for funeral expenses
>
> Organizational Services for Survivors, Families
> and Police Accountability Organizations
>
> *  Website hosting and development
> *  "SF_Village Voice" Community Radio
> *  Translation services (sliding scale)
> *  Technical and programmatic assistance to law enforcement
> accountability centers.
> *  Cultural competency trainings for progressive organizations
> *  Host of Education Not Incarceration (ENI) SF Chapter to work for
> justice in SF's schools
> * Spearheading  or technical assistance in terms of Rallies and
> Protests for Grieving Families and Survivors of Police Brutallity.
>
> Grassroots Campaigns and Events:
>
> *  Grassroots campaigns to create policy change
> *  Speakers bureau and workshops at events surrounding police
> accountability
> *  Bang for Change Civil Rights Revival Festivals with speakers and
> performers
>
> Awards:
>
> "Local Heroes of the Year" ,San Francisco Bay Guardian,
> "Best of 2004" edition, July 28, 2004
>
> "Unsung Heroes" Award December, 2006,  SF Beyond Chronicle
>
> "We_ARE_THE_ONES_WE_HAVE_BEEN_WAITING_FOR"
> International Award, celebrating 1,000 Women and Ancestors in the
> World Who Are Making or made a Substantial Difference Towards
Global
> Peace."  (spearheaded by  L.A. Latino Cultural Worker and Author
> Dorinda Moreno)
>

They Told me SO
by mesha

________________________________

GranMa why ?
GranPa cuss at you
order you around
why you never tell him
you tired?
Why grandma why?
Dats our way Jazzy. You dont hear me complain.
Now go watch TV~~~

Mama why ?
Daddee hitting on you
Always cheating on you
Why he never home?
Why mama why ?
Just his way Jasmin. He feeds your mouth, don't he?
Now go out and play~~~~~

Brother why ?
You hating on me
Pulling my hair,
Hurting me
Why u tell me ugly?
Why Brotha why ?
My way to keep you straight, OOgly.
Now get out of my way~~~~~

Sista Why ?
Why we never play no mo'
Never look in my eyes no mo'
Keep pickin' at da ground
Why they call U a hoe
why you so skinny
Why sista why ?
Anyway. Too sick to talk right now,
Dont You see I'm busy?~~~~~

Teacher why ?
why you never call on me
explain nothing to me
Why Teacher why ?
No way, won't waste my time on you Parker.
Now go back to your seat~~~

Preacher why ?
Why call me arrogant
ign'ant,
why not believe in me
Why Preacher why ?
You rotten child and your SINNING family ways...
Now go home and pray~~~~~

Dokta why ?
always giving me
Dat pill that make me sleepy
Dat spray that make me shaky
Why Dokta why ?
Can't have it both way Missy, in the Ghetto and breathe free,
Now open wide~~~~~

Mista why ?
Why you look at me funny
always rub on me,
make me shamed and angry
Why Mista why ?
You know YOU love it anyway, you make me.
Now keep our Li'l secret, or I'll tell your mammy~~~~~

They told me so.

U Watch.



gonna take GranMa to the beach
in a big ol' white limo
gonna have a big ol' time
bring Daddee home on Sunday
my best double deutch for you Brotha,
gumbo for Skinny Sistah's soul,
win the spelling bee,
pray God heal my family,
breathe under the eucaplyptus tree
and tell Mama 'bout Mista fo' shor'



4 REAL U watch.



I be
President of the Earth
The dopest Diva
Marry my afriKan King
and be Hella of a mother.


When you, Daughter cry:

"The Devil is in me Mama, they told me so! I'm dumb, ugly, I won't
survive, Mista did it to me, here goes the police, are they coming
for me?
Why I bad to the bone Why Mama, why ?"

I will craddle you tight and sing:



My world, NO MO' WHY's
My rough Diamond
Black as Velvet Night
Forget the ugly words
U beautiful, so bright
They ain't never come for you!
I'll nail the door
hide you
under the floor
Deep in my soul
All you heard before
ain't nothing no mo'
I'll keep you safe, now go!
Live your dream
It's real



I tell you so.

TOB Our Beloved Well Wishers, Here, And Beyond



To Our Beloved
Well  Wishers ,
Here,  and  Beyond

Thank You !

We Love You !

We appreciate
Your banners
Your compassion,
Your prayers,
Your contrition,
Even if too late...

But Please, Again...
Don't tell us
"I feel your Pain"

Don't assure us
"She is in a Better Place,
Walking in His Infinite Grace"

Don't believe
" No more wasting time to Grieve"

But Thank you !

We love you !

Peace !

In Da Hood,

and Beyond...

Peace !

At Home,

and Abroad...

End

The War on the Poor.
Black, and Brown

NOW.

6 years already.... Murder of Idriss Stelley by SFPD
http://www.poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&story=392&pg=4

6 YEARS "ALREADY"...
SHOUT OUT, TO U MY BABY !
* IDRISS "E" STELLEY *


Hey Y'all...
remember me ?
6 years "already"...
Ma, still dream of me ?

6-13-07
my Murda "Anniversary"
by SFPD
in da Country...
of  DA  Proud  and  DA  Free !
Frisco City !

Comin' Rrrright up Y'all..
"Juneteenth"... Da Plantation
Alive and well in your City,
Y'all...

2 weeks befo'
Gus Rugley...
one week after
Asa Sullivan...
one week befo'
"Big O" Lefiti...
remember Y'all ?

my dog Nanok, Tyler my kitty
remember me ?
miss Y'all...

Hanif my buddy,
Summer Gurl,
Latifah, Jewnbug,
remember me ?

yeah...
what's so damn "special"
about me...
just another Homey
among too many...
remember us Y'all ?

Stay Strong Y'all
FIGHT
police brutality,
remember Ghandi
Y'all :

"First, they ignore us
Then, they laugh at us
Next, they come for us
Last: WE WIN" Y'all !

ya  know  Da  call
So  should  Y'all
FREE  'EM  ALL ! ! !
Da  5, Da  8,
Fists Up Y'all ! ! !

"TELL THE TRUTH"

Open letter to my dead,
and only, AfriKan Child
Idriss "E" Stelley

VeryTruly yours, Forever,
mesha, (Idriss Stelley Foundation)
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9ewi/idrissstelleyfoundation/



6 years ago, "E"
a week before
your killing
by SFPD
you sat me down,
held me down,
to tell me
Your eyes locking,
deep into mine,
intensely:


"The TRUTH,
is so frightening, Ma
Your soul could not bear it"

To lighten
the cloud of doom,
- premonitory gloom -
We drove to Bakers Beach
We danced, fought
laughed, and played
on Your Warrior Path
Through icy waters,
We built, from grey sand
a giant Sphynx
Bearer
of Ancestral Truth

The night before
your murder
with your dog Nanok
You ran to your favorite creek
at Candlestik
and built
from rocks, branches and sand
the True Gates of Heaven
encasted
Jeweled glass chips
polished by Bay waves
under the Arch, reading:
~ T H E  T R U T H ~

(All these years,  kept telling me
Since a baby):

"MA !
Don't be a Coward !
Tell The Truth !"

The Truth.

about Injustice.
Inequalities. Corruption.
Racial Profiling. Pollution.
Games People Play.
Games that People
Sooner or later,
Pay.

The Truth. Only The Truth.
Nothing but the Truth.

(Kept protesting, pulling  away):

"Nah, Ain't no coward !
But see...immigrant here...
First generation...don't make waves...
Got to stay safe, so...
YOU Tell the Truth, for me,  "E" !..."

Your very last words
to thugs in Blue,
Them Laughing,
You,
Falling
under deadly fire
Your brain splattered
on theater's seats
in Metreon's Hell
alone and frightened,
but Proud:

'Tell the truth !
THE TRUTH !"

I got it, "E"

From now on
Ever since, finally
Understood
Seek the Truth,
Expose the Truth,
Live,
and Breathe,
The Truth.

Your Truth,
AfriKan Child.
my Truth.
Our People Truth.

True Hope
True Fighters
Keepers
of the TRUTH

Rest in Peace, "E"...
Go now, let us be...
I'm fine...
"not to worry..."

We're

TRULY

  B U S Y

"Each new hour
holds new chances
for new beginnings."
Maya Angelou

from Marlon Crump, Poor Magazine

"Mesha spsaks:

"Idriss had an IQ of 148, and I could never beat him at chess,
quickly after I taught him when he was 6 yr. I felt a mixture of
immense pride and intense frustration at the terryfying intelligence
of my child pushing me to always think further, deeper...
When I bought our home in 1997 in BVHP for him, immigrating from Anza
and Masonic in a predominantly Chinese and Russian Jew neighborhood,
KIds from Double Rock came to challenge him (220 pound Black man with
a huge Mastiff/pitbull mix dog Nanok, what was he up to ? Where U
come from? "

Idriss said: "Hang on for a second",
  and came back out with a folding table and 2 chairs, and a chess
game.
Soon enough the kids would come and knock on our door: "Where is "E"?
I want to learn how to play chess. Muni passengers rememeber Idriss
smiling and waving at them by the chess table set up  on Hawes and
Ingerson, or reading under the eucalyptus tree in our side garden,
reading glasses on the tip of his nose, already balding,  the
classics,Malcom X. the K'ran, the Art of War... Hardly the dangerous
thug portrayed in the corporate press.

Every night, "E" would run to a creek in candlestick park for a swim
with Nanok. She was unconsolable when he died, and I had to force
feed her for 3 weeks, she did not want to survive him. I have stopped
to take her to the creek, she would just lay down and moan by their
very favorite spot in the sand by the rocks, hopelessly looking at
the tide motion...

Still, every night, she wiggles on her back making funny sounds...
Idriss used to tickle her tummy at night on their favorite leather
couch ,which she now jealously claims as hers, while he listened to
the news. She remembers..."

"Idriss used to tell me: "Ma ! Call the press ! Look at this
unjustice, make a stand" ... I invariably replied: "E", first
generation immigration immigrant here, we DO NOT MAKE WAVES, we
integrate".

It took, too late, his death for me to wake up and follow his
astuteness,wisdom and strength..."

"The relationship between my son and myself was intense, and often
difficult, Idriss was passionate about everything, contstantly
challenging my thinking. I often ducked and avoided, which I will
regret until the day I die.... Buty there were incredibly funny
moments ! Idriss was sort of a Black Jim Carey, could distort his
face, voice and body language in a second, and here comes Al
Sharpton, Ronald Reagan, Ru Paul, margaret Thatcher in our living
room...

My last mother's day with E, he rented the "Mummy part II" at
BLockbuster, and we ate the greasiest delivered pizza ever. By the
end of the movie, E said: "Ma, I'm tired, this is good night" "Oh,
and HAPPY MUMMY's DAY!"

On that Mother's day morning I was still at work, he called me and
sang "Hey Mom" to the sounds of "Hey Jude", I sneakily put it on
speakerphone and my shelter staff, teary eyed, applauded... E got
upset "That was private, Ma!". A month later, Idriss was dead. 48
bullets, friendly fire by 9 "Peace Officers" while he sat alone in an
empty theater at the SF Sony Metreon, experiencing a mental health
crisis"

E.F.A.P.O

(Empowered Families Against Police Oppression)
created by Idriss Stelley Foundation

is a COALITION of
Mothers, Fathers, Relatives and Extended Family Members
whose loved ones have been killed, tortured, disabled or emotionally
scarred by Police.

and is meant to complement the national work of FAMILIES, headed by
Danny Garcia, Brother of Marcos Garcia (murdered by SFPD), and the
respective struiggle of all courageous families across the nation
towards Social and Racial Justice.

We are aiming at forming a regional, national and global workforce of
many chapters, under the premise of Unity, Respect and Mutual
suppport as well as resource sharing, and helping each other build
support around respective cases.
Many of us intitially received modest to tremendous attention after
the tragedy occured, intermittent grassroot or "progressive
officials" support, which fades as time goes by...

Some of us remain active in the struggle, while others might need a
reprieve or quietly "get on with their lives".
Yet staying in touch among all of us, for updates, planning joined
events, or simply draw support as needed (such as during
anniversaries...) should always remain strong and easily accessible.

This Forum and memberships will be moderated to avoid disrespectful
comments on the site and infiltrations, to protect your privacy.

Ideally members of the group will occasionally make themselves
available to contact newly affected families, and invite them to
join.

We ARE indeed Family in many aspects, under the force of
circumstance, regardless of age, creed, race or orientation ! Let's
make it work for us, and heal /fight back together !

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EFAPO/

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Consequences of
Law Enforcement Murder
on Grieving Survivors


1.` Feelings of Isolation, helplessness in a world that is now seen
as hostile and uncaring, and that always blames the victim.

2. `Feelings of guilt for not having been able to protect the victim.

3.  Painful  memory of a mutilated body at the morgue or in pictures
and the knowledge that your loved one suffered.

4.  Agony behind waiting during protracted  periods of time when
attempting the retrieval of personal belongings of a murder victim.

5.  Pain inflicted by Sensational and inaccurate media coverage
of loved one and his/her life.

6.  Anger and powerlesness over Police and District Attorney
withholding information

7.  Feelings of powerlesness  over Criminal Misconduct and Cover Up.

8.  Life Long  grief.

9.  Loss of ability to function on the job, at home, school, etc.

10.Strain on marriages and relationships , often resulting in
divorce, abd family estrangement

11.Devastating impact on health, faith, values and future
aspirations.

12. Adverse Iimpact on family members, children, friends, co-workers,
future relationships, etc.

13. Compounded grief though the indifference of the community,
including professionals, FBI and the Department of Justice to the
plight of survivors.

14. Pain inflicted through society's attitude regarding law
enforcement Murder as an acceptable behavior.

15. Severe financial hardship of medical and funeral expenses.

16. Burden of high medical expenses incurred through stress related
illnesses and professional counseling for surviving family members.

17. Considerable financial burden of hiring lawyers, private
investigators, medical professionals, etc.

18. Compounded grief of public and political sympathy for law
enforcement murderers.

19. Feelings that law enforcement murderers gets all the help, while;
survivors of homicide victims have no rights.

20. Feelings of outrage about no criminal charges ever being  filed.

21. Feelings of outrage about the absence of  independent government
investigations

22. Feelings of powerlesness around disparities in the Judicial
System: frequently prosecution of  property crimes is greater than
the prosecution around taking a human life).

23. Anger over basic procedural violations that the internal or
judicial system are unwilling to prosecute  when law enforcement
Murders.

24. Despair about Unanswered Questions about the Killing of a Loved
One: What  REALLY happened?

25. Feelings of powerlesness around Unanswered Questions:
Why do the District Attorney, the State Attorney General office, the
FBI or Justice Department fail to prosecute for blatant  crimes ?

26. Bitterness and loss of faith in the American criminal justice
system.

27 Life long re-exacerbation  of Grief everytime one  reads about new
Law Enforcement Murders

28 Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)



(For  individual  & Family Counseling,
and VictoryOverViolence Support Groups,
please call (415) 595-8251
Idriss Stelley Foundation