PUBLIC TRANSIT RIDERS AREN'T EVEN IN THE ST. LOUIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

During the protests concerning Michael Brown's murder, the people that really got left behind in the dust were public transit riders.  And I don't just mean the ridiculous re-routing of the #74 West Florissant bus. There was no reason for re-routing that the bus.  Even with the illegal road blocks and checkpoints that the Police instituted, public transit is carrying pedestrians.  Making anyone that lived along West Florissant walk a mile or more was WRONG WRONG WRONG.

IF ONLY Metro were about public transit, and they had someone "on board" in the executive offices that could have gone to bat for their customers.  And not just Metro, but the smaller transit agencies, too.  Thank you, KMOV, for picking up the slack and responding to the needs of the transit dependent public:

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Man-with-disability-says-public-transportation-refused-to-pick-him-up-272654621.html

In smaller towns it is often the Parks And Recreation department that runs excursion and para-transit service.  Since these relatively small fleets, and either only for recreational purposes, the people that really need them-- as in the KMOV story linked to above-- are often completely overlooked.  And there is generally no one to hold accountable for failure of service. 

I wonder how many people in the St. Louis region know what it is like to be sick or disabled, and unable to afford a taxi, and to have no recourse when public transit fails?  How I wish we had more broad-minded, empathetic, caring leaders and representatives, that truly wanted to change St. Louis for everyone-- and NOT just the people that vote for them or contribute campaign funds.

As I said in my previous posts about the police and Ferguson City Council** --and their violation of Constitutional Law, and response to the protestors which was solely dictated by making their own jobs easier-- they all need to be fired and replaced.  Along with all the people whose salaries are paid for by public transit funding. 

Public Transit isn't even mentioned in the St. Louis County Emergency Plan. 

www.bknp.com/St.LouisCountyEmergencyPlan.pdf

Because OPTINSTL chose to align with Occupy, some people think I mean "occupy the bus and ride it for free, or direct the routes".  I don't.  But maybe during the next set of protests we SHOULD Occupy the buses and trains for real.  Maybe it is time to hijack public transit. 

I'd trust any of the protestors (and no, not the same as the very few people looting, protesting and looting are not the same) to do a better job of directing public transit than any of the people currently in charge.  Ridiculous. 

REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER, 2014- THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED!!!

**http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/08/occupy-gang-police-end-police-state.html
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/08/dear-ferguson-police-department-mo.html

DEAR FERGUSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, MO HIGHWAY PATROL, AND MO NATIONAL GUARD:

Readers: please also see this link for a list of on-line petitions aimed at changing laws about policing and this investigation: http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/08/occupy-gang-police-end-police-state.html

DEAR FERGUSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, MO HIGHWAY PATROL, AND MO NATIONAL GUARD: Obviously you have forgotten or never learned your Constitutional law. Please review the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.” THE ENTIRE U.S.A. IS A “FIRST AMENDMENT AREA” AT ALL TIMES.

Let us remind you (and all government representatives and officials) that WE, THE PEOPLE pay your salaries. We pay for your guns and your jails and your vehicles and your courts. We pay for the sidewalks and the streets. Every single government service is paid for by us. MAYBE YOU OWE US SOME RESPECT!

We pay you to enforce the law. You are not above it. You cannot change it suit your whims or make your job easier. Ferguson P.D. and STLCO Prosecutor have broken the law during this investigation: Why aren't you arresting them? They allowed Officer Wilson to drive off in his patrol vehicle, which- according to their first “official story” -was part of the crime scene. They refused to release Brown's autopsy report to the family (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 58.740, 194.115, 194.117).

The only “State of Emergency” is the military-style police tactics being used against us and the continuing war the police departments of this city wage against African-American men on a daily basis. After the protests have subsided, the national/ international media have gone home, and the investigation is over, we will still be here. We will remember how you dealt with us as if we were terrorists, instead of Americans exercising their First Amendment Rights. When the history books are written, you will not be remembered kindly.
CEASE AND DESIST WITH YOUR ILLEGAL AND UNETHICAL TACTICS NOW! WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE! WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST!

METRO NEEDS TO STOP CUTTING CORNERS ON SAFETY

Someone else got hit by a Metrolink train.  When are they going to start making safety a priority?

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/14/pedestrian-struck-metrolink-track/14095037/

I've said it before but I'll say it again (and again, and again, and again): Metro and Bi-State Development Agency need to be separated.  Metro should be about public transportation, NOT business "development".  People that actually understand the needs of Public Transit riders needs to be in charge.  Not men like John Nations who are simply grooming their bid for State Senate and padding their campaign funds. 

OCCUPY GANG POLICE! END THE POLICE STATE!

EDIT: Here are some petitions you can sign immediately:
MISSOURI STATE LAW REQUIRING ALL POLICE TO WEAR AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDERS WHEN ON DUTY
Petition by Rachael Cailliach
To be delivered to The Missouri State House, The Missouri State Senate, and Governor Jay Nixon
In the State of Missouri require all uniformed police to wear functioning audio and video recording devices when on duty.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/amendment-to-the-missouri

Make All Missouri Law Enforcement Officers Wear Cameras
Petition by Eric Person
To be delivered to The Missouri State House, The Missouri State Senate, and Governor Jay Nixon
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/make-all-missouri-law?mailing_id=24621&source=s.em.cr&amp%3Br_by=11089267&nbsp%3B=&r_by=11089267


WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Mike Brown Law. Requires all state, county, and local police to wear a camera.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/mike-brown-law-requires-all-state-county-and-local-police-wear-camera/8tlS5czf

Appoint a Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Murder of Michael Brown
Petition by Jamilah Nasheed
To be delivered to Robert P. McCulloch, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/appoint-a-special-prosecutor?source=s.em.cr&mailing_id=24621&amp%3Br_by=11089267&nbsp%3B=&r_by=11089267&amp%3Bamp%3Br_by=11088158&amp%3Bsource=s.icn.em.cr

End Milltarization of Police
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/423/349/851/?z00m=21401890

Here are some important articles about what is happening in the events surrounding the Brown case and protests.  Please read!  Remember, IDEAS ARE BULLETPROOF:

http://www.occupy.com/article/could-civil-rights-movement-have-happened-todays-militarized-police-state

http://rt.com/usa/181204-teens-mobile-app-police-abuse/

http://theantimedia.org/constitutional-rights-essentially-suspended-in-ferguson-as-police-raid-homes-door-to-door/

TIME TO END THE “POLICE STATE”!!!

Their is a violent and dangerous gang terrorizing poor and “minority” communities. Michael Brown is just the most recent fatality. This gang is armed with guns and billy clubs. They have the right to detain citizens and to seize private property (“asset seizure”). That is too much power for any individual to possess without public accountability. Gang Police too often confuses enforcing the law with being the law itself. Crime has been decreasing, but police brutality has increased. Gang Police is becoming increasingly militarized.

Gang “Police” serves and protects private property to such an extent that unarmed thieves in the possession of a stolen $1 cigarillo can be shot dead. Or children walking in the street that contest an order to “Get the F**k on the sidewalk.”

We, The People, pay the salaries of Gang Police. We pay for their cars, their weapons, their jails. We pay for the lawyers and judges. The more crime a city has, the wealthier the people that work in and benefit from the legal system.

TIME FOR CHANGE. Real change. When people get angry enough they will loot and riot. Too many men have died in the street from the actions of this gang. Looting is not the answer, but it is the only reason this case is getting national attention. Without the riot, there would not be an FBI investigation. Al Sharpton would not be at the Old Courthouse. Looting is not the answer, but it is the only threat that Gang Police and their Overlords take seriously. They are a violent Gang, and the only respond to violence and upheaval.

What we really need, though, is to become angry enough to demand real change, and to continue working for it after the fires have been put out, the protest marches and press conferences have ended, and the investigations are over. Something good can come of this tragedy, if We, The People demand it, and keep demanding it, long after our tempers have cooled.

WE, THE PEOPLE, MUST BEGIN TO “POLICE THE POLICE”! They have the power to monitor us, to investigate us, and we must demand the right to monitor and investigate them! We have the right to full accountability for everything that they do! We must demand complete police transparency!

1) We must require all police to wear helmet cameras (or special glasses with cameras) at all times. Not dashboard cameras. Not just recording traffic stops and dispatch responses, their entire shift must be recorded. We are paying their salaries. We have the right to know what and how they are doing their jobs.

2) Photographs, bio's, and badge numbers must be posted on Police Department websites, along with regularly update schedules. We should be able to go to the Ferguson P.D. website and look up exactly who was on duty when Michael Brown was shot. The department should not be able to hide this Gang member behind the fear of death threats. Gang Police poses a potential death threat for every citizen they encounter. Maybe if the Gang Police Member (“officer”) that shot Michael Brown had known that his picture and name was posted for all citizens to see, he would have behaved differently. Maybe Michael Brown would be at college instead of the morgue.

3) Every citizen should have the right to have a civilian witness present at ANY interaction with a Gang Police member. Every community should have paid Legal Observers standing by at all times.

4) Police should be required to hold “meet and greets” at least once a month, along with Town Hall type meetings for people make suggestions, air grievances, and give feedback on officer's performances in their communities.

Occupy Public Transportation in St. Louis (OPTINSTL) is researching how to create a petition for the above demands, but we can start by calling or writing all of our local representatives and police departments and demanding the changes listed above. And anyone can start a petition. We need a lot of petitions and signatures to make our voices heard and get the changes we need. Two sites OPTINSTL has found:

http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/pubs/makeyourvoiceheard/MakingYourVoiceHeard.pdf

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/

Please print and share this leaflet if you agree. OPTINSTL@GMAIL.COM optinstl.blogspot.com