Cobb: Najee Ali: Black Riot Proxy

July 01, 2004

Najee Ali: Black Riot Proxy

I also want to clarify something that needs to be said. I think Najee Ali is taking a lot of heat for being a proxy for an unconsolable black public. This is disrespectful of both Ali and Los Angeles' African Americans.

It's rather facile for Jack Dunphy to suggest that Ali and other activists are hoping that black LA is spoiling for a conflagration over this videotape.

Ali's recusal from the panel is a good idea, given the heat he's taking for something that's not about him. Ali is neither the cause nor the solution to LAPD's discipline problems, and all the drive-by character assassination is not going to change that. Any commentary that puts his name in greater relief than that of the officers involved is painting this once again into a Blacks vs Police issue. That's stupid and inflammatory, plain and simple and it needs to stop.

I don't see how saying that *they* hope this is going to be Rodney King all over again helps the situation from not being Rodney King all over again. So from this corner of the spectrum, which can be simplified to read 'black & conservative' let's do what we can to give this matter the nuance it deserves rather than painting it black & white. Leaving Najee Ali out of it is a good start.

Posted by mbowen at July 1, 2004 12:35 AM

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Comments

Thanks,
Najee

Posted by: najee at July 2, 2004 10:29 PM

Does anyone have contact info for Mr Najee Ali, perhaps an email address, or a post office box?

I have been the victim of police sponsored vigilante violence and terror for in excess of a year, and perhaps longer.

I live in the Los Angeles area.

Posted by: John Smith at July 13, 2004 11:55 PM

There are two guys who, depending on your politics are famous or infamous for their showdowns with cops. The first is Michael Zinzun. The other is the former cop with the Hawthorne PD who did 'citizen stings' in Westwood, chained himself to the LA Country Club gates and one day got his head shoved through a plate glass window in Long Beach. He changed his name to something African. - Kamau Diop. His site is here: http://policeabuse.org/director.html

Both of these men were pretty active in local politics when I was back in the early 90s but have since fallen off the radar screen. If they are still around in LA, I'm sure they will have plenty of advice. Zinzun won a huge civil suit. He was blinded in one eye by the LAPD, and he was a crusader for a long time.

Another guy who has been in the anti police abuse game for a very long time is Michael Novick. http://www.change-links.org/ramparts.htm

check the bottom of that page for contacts.
I used to follow this stuff pretty closely, but have since moved in a different direction.
Here's my own - Welcome To The Club
http://www.mdcbowen.org/p2/bh/club/

I would also strongly suggest that any and all blackfolks who have political questions about cops get to know a black police officer personally. It can and probably will make a world of difference. If, however, you are an ex-con, it's probably not good idea.

Posted by: Cobb at July 14, 2004 11:40 AM

Najee,

Contact me. I have been attempting to locate you.

Robert S.

Posted by: Robert Sausedo at July 31, 2004 09:47 PM

I AM A VICTOM OF ASSAULT BY AN OFFICER UNDER THE COLOR OF AUTHORITY IN/BY THE CITY OF FONTANA. I WANT TO SEND YOU THE FILE ON WHAT HAPPENDED(INCL. PHOTOS)THAT I WAS TAZED 1O TIMES.

Posted by: HAMLET at August 9, 2004 03:46 PM

Please direct you questions to one of the law firms who handle such matters. I do not have any professional competence and could not help you.

Posted by: Cobb at August 9, 2004 04:30 PM

Please direct your questions to one of the law firms who handle such matters. I do not have any professional competence and could not help you.

Posted by: Cobb at August 9, 2004 04:30 PM