Activist to speak against
police brutality

By Jaymes K. Song
Star-Bulletin

Fortunato Barques III. Rodney Laulusa. Benedict Manupule.

These men are among the 20,000 people in the United States who have been killed over the past 10 years by law enforcement officers, according to a national anti-police brutality advocate.

"Yeah, it's a whole small town, or similar to a war. It's incredible," said Keith McHenry in a telephone interview from Lawrence, Kan.

The 20,000 deaths were mostly Hispanic, African American, Asian American and poor, he said.

In the wake of the five men who were shot -- three of whom were killed -- by Honolulu police officers this year, a local group has scheduled McHenry to speak at the University of Hawaii this week.

McHenry, 41, will speak at UH on Oct. 16 addressing police brutality and slayings by police officers.

"The main thing is bringing awareness and showing that people are concerned and are pretty disgusted at what's going on," said Carolyn Hadfield, a member of Hawaii Committee to Stop Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation.

Hadfield's group is sponsoring McHenry's five-day visit to Oahu. His speeches are corresponding with the group's third annual National Day of Protest, Oct. 22, a day for "victims of police violence."

McHenry became an anti-police brutality activist after being beaten 13 times and arrested 103 times by police officers in San Francisco. Most of the incidents occurred while serving food to homeless with the group he co-founded, Food Not Bombs.

"It is hard to believe but it's definitely true," he said. "We have videotapes. It's really intense."

He recalled one beating where he was standing and rallying peacefully.

"Three officers came up, and one clubbed me on the hand with a flashlight," he said. "Another grabbed me around the neck and pulled me down. Then they started smashing my body violently into the sidewalk."

According to the San Francisco Police Department, McHenry has been arrested numerous times for unlawful assembling, illegally distributing food, violating restraining orders and trespassing.

But department spokesman Jim Deignan said McHenry denies any beatings by San Francisco police officers.

McHenry said he doesn't "really hate cops." He just wants the violence to end.

"Most of the actual rank-and-file cops are just other workers just like the rest of us," he said.

He puts the blame on the people running the departments.

Hadfield said people -- specifically, poor young males -- are being hassled, harassed and assaulted by officers on Oahu.

According to State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, it's unfair to generalize.

"We're against police brutality as well. I feel our officers are very professional," said Sgt. Richard Wheeler, SHOPO's Oahu chairman. "I'm not saying we don't have to use force in the course of arrest. We do from time to time. And when we do, it's because of physical resistance from the person being arrested."

Wheeler said if they do confront people at the park or beach, it's because of a violation or a resident's complaint.

"Let's face it: If people are resisting arrest and continuing to break the law, we do have the right to use force," he said.

"Do we use more than necessary? No. We do what's necessary to do the job."

Rallies and speeches

The Hawaii Committee to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation holds weeklong activities:

OCT. 16

What: Anti police-brutality advocate Keith McHenry's speeches
When: 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hemenway Theatre at the University of Hawaii Campus Center

OCT. 19

What: "Speak out against police brutality"
When: 11:30 a.m.
Where: University of Hawaii Campus Center Courtyard

OCT. 22

What: Rally and sign-holding
When: 3:30 p.m.
Where: In front of Honolulu Hale
What: Protest march through Waikiki
When: 7 p.m.

Where: Meet in front of the Honolulu Zoo