Petition to End Racial Profiling and other forms of Police Terrorism

Target:
Harahan Police Department and Jefferson Parish Elected Officials
Sponsored by: 

Please note that James' trial date has been postponed until April 8, so please continue to sign the petition!

The demands of the petition are: 
1) the immediate dropping of all charges against James Williams
2) a transparent investigation into the conduct of Officer Bryan Huesman
3) an end to racial profiling and other forms of police terrorism in Jefferson Parish. 

Below are the details about the events that led to this petition being created:




 On April 7, 2008, James Williams a 26 year old African American man was falsely arrested and assaulted by police officer Bryan J. Huesman.  Huesman is a white officer from the Harahan Police Department. The assault occurred after midnight in the 1300 hundred block of Hickory Avenue.





 Williams, traveling with his seven year old daughter, had just picked up Pam Nath, a Bluffton University professor who has spent much time in New Orleans doing volunteer work since Katrina. That night, Nath, a forty-five year old Anglo-American (white) woman, was on a late arriving plane at the Louis Armstrong International Airport.  Nath and Williams worked together on a number of struggles in the metropolitan area, particularly the struggle for affordable housing and against the demolition of public housing. Nath had loaned Williams her automobile while out of town. Williams was in the process of returning her car by picking her up from the airport. Nath in turn was to drop Williams and his daughter off at the child's home.





 Nath, who was driving, stopped at the intersection of Gardner and Hickory Avenue. A police car pulled up at a ninety degree angle on Hickory Avenue. There were no other cars on the street. The officer flashed his head lights at them. Nath proceeded forward and made a right turn on Hickory Avenue. The officer followed them, put on his top lights and pulled them over. Huesman approached the car on the driver's side and asked Nath if she was lost. Nath responded that she was. She asked if he could tell her where Sawmill Road was. He told her that it was just down the road to the right. He then asked her if it was an apartment complex she was looking for. At this point Williams spoke up because Nath did not know if it was an apartment complex she was going to. Speaking from the passenger side Williams stated: "Yes, it is an apartment complex".








Officer Huesman's Abuse Of Power





At this point Huesman's true nature exposed itself. Huesman peered in the window to see who was speaking to him. Seeing a young African American man with a small child, Huesman kicked off a denigrating campaign aimed at Williams and Nath. He insultingly posed questions to Nath. He demanded to know who this black man was. He demanded that Nath explain why was this 'man' in her company.  Nath attempted to explain that both of them were associates who had worked together and are still working together. Huesman displayed his disdain and contempt for both refusing to believe the words of Nath. He asked Nath several times sarcastically was Williams "her nephew," or was he "her cousin"? He demanded Williams' I.D. and tells them that he must run it. Williams provided his license and then questioned Huesman as to why he needed to run his I.D, and why they were stopped in the first place. Agitated by Williams' questioning of his disrespectful conduct, officer Huesman then ordered Williams out of the car and proceeded  "to teach him a lesson".   Denouncing Williams as an "ass hole," Officer Huesman physically roughed Williams up a bit. Nath attempted to get out of the car to stop the officer, but was ordered by Huesman to get back in the car. Williams was viciously told by officer Huesman that he was going to jail that night.





 Officer Huesman placed Williams in the police car. He then returned to Nath's car and conducted a search of the car. Nath requested if he had a warrant, and Huesman stated that he didn't need one. Huesman found nothing of criminal wrongdoing.  He mean-spiritedly looked for a reason to punish Nath to teach her a lesson too. He wrote up two tickets: 1) Failure to change her address, and 2) Impeding the flow of traffic. 











Officer Huesman Concocts a Tale





Williams was then brought to jail and locked up. He was charged with: Battery on a police officer and Resisting an officer. Officer Huesman then concocted a story (a Lie) to cover his dirty deeds.  The police officer's tale was:  "Arrestee was the passenger of a vehicle that was cited for traffic violations. During the traffic stop the arrestee became irate with the officer. The officer asked the arrestee for his identification and the arrestee refused. Arrestee was then instructed out of the vehicle. The officer conducted a pat down for weapons on the arrestee. The arrestee still being irate pushed the officer almost causing the officer to fall. Arrestee then attempted to flee. The officer was able to gain control of the arrestees arm and a brief struggle insued. The officer gained control of the arrestee and was aboe to handcuff dbl lkd and read arrestee his rights per arrestee his rights per Miranda. The vehicle involved was issued two traffic violations."  (officer's exact statement with all its misspellings and grammatical errors)





Police Terror





Officer Huesman exhibited two main features of this so called "free and democratic" government of the U.S.A.  First this government of rich billionaires hates black people, particularly black men.  African Americans are routinely abused and murdered by the police. Huesman displayed his hatred for black men when he roughed up Williams and tried to cover it up with a lie. And second this government of the rich billionaires hates black and white unity.  The government as acted out by officer Huesman hates when working people of different races unite against a common enemy- the rich and their government and their police terrorists.  As a low down white supremacist and coward, officer Huesman and his kind know that multinational class unity spells doom for the government and its police terrorists.








Help us stop these growing injustices! We need your help!







  • Sign the petition:  We, the undersigned demand the immediate dropping of all charges against James Williams, a transparent investigation into the conduct of Office Bryan Huesman, and an end to racial profiling and other forms of police terrorism in Jefferson Parish.  Concurrent with eyewitness testimony, we believe that James Williams did not assault any officer or break any laws on April 7, 2008.  We believe that a fair and thorough investigation of the traffic stop on that morning will reveal that Bryan Huesman abused his power.







  • Pass this information and link to this petition along to others.







  • Call or mail the District Attorney's office & request that both charges be dismissed:  Paul D. Connick Jr.; 24th Judicial District; 200 Derbigny Street; Gretna, LA 70053-5850;                               (504)3...               








 Contact us: 
friendsofjameswilliams@gmail.com
 

Please note that James' trial date has been postponed until April 8, so please continue to sign the petition!

The demands of the petition are: 
1) the immediate dropping of all charges against James Williams
2) a transparent investigation into the conduct of Officer Bryan Huesman
3) an end to racial profiling and other forms of police terrorism in Jefferson Parish. 

Below are the details about the events that led to this petition being created:




 On April 7, 2008, James Williams a 26 year old African American man was falsely arrested and assaulted by police officer Bryan J. Huesman.  Huesman is a white officer from the Harahan Police Department. The assault occurred after midnight in the 1300 hundred block of Hickory Avenue.





 Williams, traveling with his seven year old daughter, had just picked up Pam Nath, a Bluffton University professor who has spent much time in New Orleans doing volunteer work since Katrina. That night, Nath, a forty-five year old Anglo-American (white) woman, was on a late arriving plane at the Louis Armstrong International Airport.  Nath and Williams worked together on a number of struggles in the metropolitan area, particularly the struggle for affordable housing and against the demolition of public housing. Nath had loaned Williams her automobile while out of town. Williams was in the process of returning her car by picking her up from the airport. Nath in turn was to drop Williams and his daughter off at the child's home.





 Nath, who was driving, stopped at the intersection of Gardner and Hickory Avenue. A police car pulled up at a ninety degree angle on Hickory Avenue. There were no other cars on the street. The officer flashed his head lights at them. Nath proceeded forward and made a right turn on Hickory Avenue. The officer followed them, put on his top lights and pulled them over. Huesman approached the car on the driver's side and asked Nath if she was lost. Nath responded that she was. She asked if he could tell her where Sawmill Road was. He told her that it was just down the road to the right. He then asked her if it was an apartment complex she was looking for. At this point Williams spoke up because Nath did not know if it was an apartment complex she was going to. Speaking from the passenger side Williams stated: "Yes, it is an apartment complex".








Officer Huesman's Abuse Of Power





At this point Huesman's true nature exposed itself. Huesman peered in the window to see who was speaking to him. Seeing a young African American man with a small child, Huesman kicked off a denigrating campaign aimed at Williams and Nath. He insultingly posed questions to Nath. He demanded to know who this black man was. He demanded that Nath explain why was this 'man' in her company.  Nath attempted to explain that both of them were associates who had worked together and are still working together. Huesman displayed his disdain and contempt for both refusing to believe the words of Nath. He asked Nath several times sarcastically was Williams "her nephew," or was he "her cousin"? He demanded Williams' I.D. and tells them that he must run it. Williams provided his license and then questioned Huesman as to why he needed to run his I.D, and why they were stopped in the first place. Agitated by Williams' questioning of his disrespectful conduct, officer Huesman then ordered Williams out of the car and proceeded  "to teach him a lesson".   Denouncing Williams as an "ass hole," Officer Huesman physically roughed Williams up a bit. Nath attempted to get out of the car to stop the officer, but was ordered by Huesman to get back in the car. Williams was viciously told by officer Huesman that he was going to jail that night.





 Officer Huesman placed Williams in the police car. He then returned to Nath's car and conducted a search of the car. Nath requested if he had a warrant, and Huesman stated that he didn't need one. Huesman found nothing of criminal wrongdoing.  He mean-spiritedly looked for a reason to punish Nath to teach her a lesson too. He wrote up two tickets: 1) Failure to change her address, and 2) Impeding the flow of traffic. 











Officer Huesman Concocts a Tale





Williams was then brought to jail and locked up. He was charged with: Battery on a police officer and Resisting an officer. Officer Huesman then concocted a story (a Lie) to cover his dirty deeds.  The police officer's tale was:  "Arrestee was the passenger of a vehicle that was cited for traffic violations. During the traffic stop the arrestee became irate with the officer. The officer asked the arrestee for his identification and the arrestee refused. Arrestee was then instructed out of the vehicle. The officer conducted a pat down for weapons on the arrestee. The arrestee still being irate pushed the officer almost causing the officer to fall. Arrestee then attempted to flee. The officer was able to gain control of the arrestees arm and a brief struggle insued. The officer gained control of the arrestee and was aboe to handcuff dbl lkd and read arrestee his rights per arrestee his rights per Miranda. The vehicle involved was issued two traffic violations."  (officer's exact statement with all its misspellings and grammatical errors)





Police Terror





Officer Huesman exhibited two main features of this so called "free and democratic" government of the U.S.A.  First this government of rich billionaires hates black people, particularly black men.  African Americans are routinely abused and murdered by the police. Huesman displayed his hatred for black men when he roughed up Williams and tried to cover it up with a lie. And second this government of the rich billionaires hates black and white unity.  The government as acted out by officer Huesman hates when working people of different races unite against a common enemy- the rich and their government and their police terrorists.  As a low down white supremacist and coward, officer Huesman and his kind know that multinational class unity spells doom for the government and its police terrorists.








Help us stop these growing injustices! We need your help!







  • Sign the petition:  We, the undersigned demand the immediate dropping of all charges against James Williams, a transparent investigation into the conduct of Office Bryan Huesman, and an end to racial profiling and other forms of police terrorism in Jefferson Parish.  Concurrent with eyewitness testimony, we believe that James Williams did not assault any officer or break any laws on April 7, 2008.  We believe that a fair and thorough investigation of the traffic stop on that morning will reveal that Bryan Huesman abused his power.







  • Pass this information and link to this petition along to others.







  • Call or mail the District Attorney's office & request that both charges be dismissed:  Paul D. Connick Jr.; 24th Judicial District; 200 Derbigny Street; Gretna, LA 70053-5850;                               (504)3...               








 Contact us: 
friendsofjameswilliams@gmail.com
 

We, the undersigned demand the immediate dropping of all charges against James Williams, a transparent investigation into the conduct of Office Bryan Huesman, and an end to racial profiling and other forms of police terrorism in Jefferson Parish.  Concurrent with eyewitness testimony, we believe that James Williams did not assault any officer or break any laws on April 7, 2008.  We believe that a fair and thorough investigation of the traffic stop on that morning will reveal that Bryan Huesman abused his power.
signature
goal: 1,000
 
sign petition!
50
50 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!
Already a Care2 member? log in. Or, 
connect with Facebook

This petition is closed. Thank you for your interest.

You can do more! Show me more petitions »
We signed the "Petition to End Racial Profiling and other forms of Police Terrorism" petition!
# 373:
6:06 pm PDT, Jul 11, Jane Pitts-Greer, Illinois
I live with racial profiling every day in alton illinois but we must continue to conront the injustice, i iled a comolaint with the US departmetn oc justice attention Bobbi Burnstein depauty chief it is a nes day under Eric Holder USDOJ COp Watch is a good web site so that you can begin wathcing the police it is ungiodly to ignore injustice
# 372:
10:41 pm PDT, Jun 15, LORI WHITBECK, California
# 371:
9:06 am PDT, Apr 30, Melissa Green, Georgia
# 370:
9:28 am PDT, Apr 22, David Eber, Louisiana
This happens far too often. Best of luck!!
# 369:
7:25 am PDT, Apr 13, Terrell Moss, Louisiana
# 368:
6:50 am PDT, Apr 10, Frank Snapp, California
# 367:
12:39 pm PDT, Mar 25, Name not displayed, Louisiana
# 366:
4:43 pm PST, Feb 26, Name not displayed, Colorado
# 365:
9:51 am PST, Feb 23, Nyle Webster, California
# 364:
10:50 am PST, Feb 13, Jay Arena, New Jersey
Hands off James Williams. Drop the charges now!
# 363:
2:34 pm PST, Feb 2, Sinclair Heidi, Louisiana
# 362:
1:58 pm PST, Jan 13, Chewy Oei, Netherlands
# 361:
6:27 am PST, Jan 5, Anita Kofta, Wisconsin
# 360:
10:05 pm PST, Jan 4, Marita Miller, Ohio
It's things like this that make me reluctant to tell people in the countries I visit that I am an American. Come on, America! Wake up and give us something to be proud of, a place where every person is treated with dignity.
# 359:
10:34 am PST, Jan 2, BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 358:
1:54 pm PST, Dec 30, Nathan Rothstein, Louisiana
# 357:
2:45 am PST, Dec 29, Roxie Schliesman, Wisconsin
# 356:
5:27 am PST, Dec 28, Polly HOFMAN, Netherlands
THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOUR IS A SHAME FOR ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN A HUMAN AND DECENT SOCIETY!
# 355:
5:38 pm PST, Dec 25, Ranee Abbruzzese, New Jersey
# 354:
1:36 am PST, Dec 23, Hope Rehak, Ohio
This is not okay with us, and we will not stop fighting.
# 353:
1:11 pm PST, Dec 21, Samantha Bates, Tennessee
# 352:
2:01 am PST, Dec 19, Silky Wylder, Wisconsin
# 351:
1:56 pm PST, Dec 18, Laura Brenneman, Ohio
# 350:
3:11 pm PST, Dec 17, Karin Kaufman Wall, Kansas
# 349:
2:08 pm PST, Dec 17, Erica Andrews, Louisiana
# 348:
8:02 pm PST, Dec 16, Jannel Lee-Allen, Michigan
# 347:
7:58 pm PST, Dec 15, Anne De Santis, Washington
It's 2008. Please grow up and stop racially profiling people. Fight real crime. By his actions, this police officer makes the world a more dangerous place for all of us. Police officers take an oath to serve and protect us. To me, racial profiling is anti-American and a is form of domestic terroism. Drop the charges now! Thank you.
# 346:
4:21 pm PST, Dec 15, Keith Twitchell, Louisiana
In southeast Louisiana, many of us are working across lines of race and class to build a better future for our region and our children who will inherit it. Unfortunately, episodes such as this one impede that work, and are destructive to our entire region. I do not believe that this episode typifies Jefferson Parish; but unless a full, fair and transparent investigation is conducted, the stain of racism and brutality will color all people of good faith. Please take fair and responsible action immediately!
# 345:
1:45 pm PST, Dec 15, Joshua Lichtman, Louisiana
# 344:
10:08 am PST, Dec 15, Keron Blair, Louisiana
# 343:
8:54 am PST, Dec 15, Kelly Tanner, Louisiana
# 342:
6:33 am PST, Dec 15, Name not displayed, Louisiana
# 341:
5:14 pm PST, Dec 11, James Walls, New York
# 340:
11:13 am PST, Dec 10, Eli Ackerman, Louisiana
Incidents like these undermine public faith in all aspects of government. The reputations of the regional police departments are horrendous and the whole criminal justice system should be revamped.
# 339:
9:39 am PST, Dec 10, Daniel Castillo, Louisiana
From what I understand this is a common practice in Harahan.
# 338:
9:27 am PST, Dec 10, Kesha Lee, Washington D.C.
James, I am behind you and grateful that you are seeking justice. So many young men resign themselves to the torture that our nation's police implement on a daily basis. I remain faithful that your activism will bring light to the brutality and corruption and the not so secret pain many of young brothers have to live with. Peace & Light, Kesha
# 337:
8:15 am PST, Dec 10, Claire Lucido, New York
# 336:
11:17 am PST, Dec 9, Erica White, Louisiana
# 335:
10:28 am PST, Dec 9, Randall Spallinger, Ohio
# 334:
9:37 am PST, Dec 9, Caroline Corona, Louisiana
Just because they have a badge, they are no better than us! They do not have the right to abuse law abide citzens!
# 333:
9:31 am PST, Dec 9, Stephanie Borden, Alabama
No Weapon formed against Mr. Williams shall prosper!!
# 332:
8:33 am PST, Dec 9, S Anderson, Maine
# 331:
5:01 am PST, Dec 9, Norman Caesar, Louisiana
# 330:
4:06 am PST, Dec 9, Colette Handy, Louisiana
I have known Mr. Williams to be a vibrant, intellectual young man who puts the concerns and needs of others before his own. I am aggrieved that he has had to suffer in this matter, and pray that he is exonerated from all charges. He is an example of what can be in the future if the black community. Please do not waste this spirit-driven life over foolishness.
# 329:
6:49 pm PST, Dec 8, Gay Thomas, Washington
I am a native of New Orleans and know all to well about this abuse of power by corrupt law enforcement. This is deplorable and the abusers need to be held accountable for their actions.
# 328:
1:41 pm PST, Dec 8, Don Mitchell, Louisiana
I also had cases of racial profiling in Louisiana.
# 327:
1:12 pm PST, Dec 8, IyaRah Ford, Louisiana
Another example of how more than ever, African-American males are being treated unfairly by the police departments of both Jefferson and Orleans Parishes. What has happen to James was uncalled for.
# 326:
9:46 am PST, Dec 8, Eli Wade-Scott, Iowa
# 325:
7:49 pm PST, Dec 7, Ije Okpokwasili, New Jersey
# 324:
5:28 pm PST, Dec 7, Anthony Carter, Minnesota
The New Orleans police force needs to be overhauled and investigated for its lack of intelligence, virtue and an overall sense of bigotry and unfairness present. The public should not stand idle while police are able to abuse their power.
# 323:
10:15 am PST, Dec 7, Anne Brettell, Tennessee
# 322:
7:45 pm PST, Dec 6, Alice Steele, Tennessee
I used to live in New Orleans, and the city is just so wonderful and full of history. Law enforcement there needs a lot of help.
# 321:
5:58 pm PST, Dec 6, Daniella Caggiano, New York
# 320:
5:38 pm PST, Dec 6, Name not displayed, California
# 319:
2:06 pm PST, Dec 6, Zeraph Moore, Maine
# 318:
12:57 pm PST, Dec 6, Carol Ware, Texas
# 317:
9:23 am PST, Dec 6, Patrick Metzger, New York
# 316:
5:50 pm PST, Dec 5, Michael Borucke, California
I lived in New Orleans last year, and fell in love with the city. I also have great respect for the NOLA residents struggling to build back their lives after the devastation of Katrina. I am appalled to hear the story of racial profiling and police terrorism directed against Mr. James Williams. Please drop all charges against Mr. Williams, apologize to him and his daughter and professor Nath, and put Mr. Bryan Huesman in handcuffs. Thank you.
# 315:
2:05 pm PST, Dec 5, Name not displayed, New York
# 314:
8:32 am PST, Dec 5, Jessica Walter, Pennsylvania
# 313:
9:48 pm PST, Dec 4, Heather Love, California
# 312:
9:37 pm PST, Dec 4, Stephen Kriss, Pennsylvania
Law enforcement is intended to improve the lives of citizens, not intimidate, not create a system where officers are above the law, above civility, immune to question.
# 311:
9:14 pm PST, Dec 4, E. Lynne Miller, Washington D.C.
# 310:
7:45 pm PST, Dec 4, Name not displayed, Illinois
# 309:
6:45 pm PST, Dec 4, Vincent Michael Andreassi, New York
Please tell me we're not going to allow this kind of behavior to go on. Someone tell me we as a people aren't accepting of police brutality. The idea that law enforcement officials can conduct themselves in this and similar ways terrifies me, and infuriates me beyond the ability to articulate. These people patrol the streets and highways with guns and badges. Toleration of their abhorrent behavior does little to command my respect, and a great deal to fuel disgust and fear. I don't know how many there are exactly, but I know I'm not alone in thinking this way and I know we're in great number. Racial profiling and police terrorism better end, and it better end soon.
# 308:
6:19 pm PST, Dec 4, Name not displayed, New York
# 307:
3:14 pm PST, Dec 4, Cleopatra VIII Cagnolatti, Louisiana
Remember Karma. Jah knows.
# 306:
12:52 pm PST, Dec 4, Dellan Bruder, New York
# 305:
10:56 pm PST, Dec 3, Jude Ortiz, Minnesota
As a witness to police abuse and brutality, and a resident of this country with some experience with said abuse, I wholeheartedly support James Williams in his fight against police/state repression and violence. Cops around the nation have shirked responsibility for their actions too often, and we will not stand for it anymore. I stand in solidarity with James Williams. I stand in solidarity with all who fight the repression inherent in the system.
# 304:
6:20 pm PST, Dec 3, Alice Manos, Ohio
This is outrageous!! Not only should all charges against Mr. Williams be dropped but Officer Huesman needs to be charged for his violent and racist actions.
# 303:
11:58 am PST, Dec 3, Anasa Scott, New York
# 302:
11:38 am PST, Dec 3, Arturo Suarez, New York
...to protect and serve...
# 301:
11:20 am PST, Dec 3, Tony Thesing, New York
Copyright © 2010 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved