Articles Published in September, 2015

Scheduling is set to begin for a lawsuit filed on behalf of all Latinos and African Americans racially profiled by San Jose Police during routine traffic stops who are more likely to experience prolonged detention, be handcuffed, made to sit on the curb or in the back of a police car than are other groups stopped. Racial bias in policing has historically been fertile ground for treating races unequal. With the crossroads we are in around race relations in San Jose and the country, Nick Emanuel believes we can get to a point where we don’t have these racial biases.

On August 27th, Michael Tyree died while in custody of the Santa Clara County Jail. On September 3rd the Sheriff arrested three correctional officers (Mathew Ferris, Jereh Lubrin, Rafeal Rodriguez) for the murder of Michael Tryee. Below is a recording of the Sheriff expelling the death caused by blunt force trauma, and the arrests of the officers. Below that are photos of a community rally that happened in front of the jail on September 4th. Marchers called for justice for Michael Tyree, an independent investigation of the jail, and for the safety of all of those currently detained. Those who wish to share information about complaints of gaurds in the Santa Clara County jail can email info@siliconvalleydebug or contact the Prison Law Office.

After receiving a number of complaints from inmates, attorneys, and families, the Prison Law Office initiated communications with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office around concerns of jail conditions. This was well before the death of Michael Tyree. Read below one of their follow up letters where they state there are serious violations of inmates' Constitutional state and federal rights.

Adnan Khan is serving a life sentence in San Quentin. Now 31, at 17 he left his mother and at 18 he was arrested. He remembers the moment he told his mother the hardest words he would have to tell her in his life.

San Jose joins a regional effort to increase the minimum wage to avoid wage gaps between cities, but troubling exemptions may leave out the most vulnerable -– parolees, homeless, and emancipated foster youth -- writes author Shaunn Cartwright.

A collaboration between Future Arts Now! and Kooltura Marketing, the ImagineSJ Showcase is a monthly event series that provides a platform for San Jose’s newest most innovative thinking, whether it be in the arts, technology, non-profit or small business. Through performances, presentations, and interactive audience engagement activities, the ImagineSJ Showcase creates a public platform for the introduction of new ideas and great thinking that San Jose needs to know about.

Writer Shaunn Cartwright describes exercising her civic responsibilities this past Tuesday to weigh in on important issues at both San Jose City Hall and the County Board of Supervisors meeting. She describes frustrations that many share during public comment and contrasts leadership styles that leave some folks heard and others feeling barely tolerated.

Tim Casarez writes from an inside view about the continuing push for reforming the criminal justice system and believes that more than merely punishing offenders labeled as "violent" they should be urged toward reform and earn their release. It is time for a change of thought toward incarceration, he says, the proposed reforms don't go far enough.

With changes in the nightlife of downtown San José, one crew holds strong to Downtown's original roots: a party for everyone. When a lot of locals feel unwanted in local clubs, Sonido Clash enters their 6th year of keeping downtown San Jose classic and inclusive.

Patrice Milillo is an arts educator who has traveled the world talking with communities on the effect of arts and learning. He writes in this piece about education, "properly applied, the arts cultivate positive habits of mind such as observation, exploration, persistence, understanding, envisioning new possibilities, and reflection."