On Mother's Day Sunday morning in front of San Francisco's City Hall, there was a small rally of mothers whose children had been murdered and whose killers have never been found by the San Francisco Police Department.
It wasn't all mothers at the event either as the gentlemen holding up the signboard for Brian Marquez below attests.
The San Francisco Police Department homicide solve rate has been an international disgrace for some time, and it's hard to know if it's on account of incompetence, corruption, or a mostly suburban force not much caring about the tragedies of the urban poor.
It's probably a mixture of all of the above, though that attitude doesn't extend to all San Francisco law enforcement, especially the sherriff's department spokeswoman below right whose mother "disappeared" when she was a child.
The rally was being held by a group called The Healing Circle. According to a Yelp review:
This is a grief support group specifically for those who have lost a love as the result of violence, also referred to as "homicide survivors". But The Healing Circle, co-founded by George Jurand and Mattie Scott is more than just a support group. Its purpose is to promote sharing, healing, education and action for survivors of homicide and victims of violence through dialogue and community outreach.
Those interested in participating in The Healing Circle are encouraged to contact one of the Co-Founders directly:
Mattie Scott: 415-412-1469 or
mattie728@aol.com
George Jurand: 415-516-1635.
Healing Circle meetings take place the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at Paradise Baptist Church in San Francisco, CA.
Paulette Brown, above, who has been holding a vigil in front of City Hall for years, didn't look at all mollified. I wish her the best.
Mike -- I have a personal connection to this in that my mother would have been able to join their ranks -- she lost her other son to god knows who on the wrong side of Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteThis brings it home in a real way. We are all victims of violence and it really drags down society.
So thanks, Mike, for the presentation -- fine reporting as usual.
Dear Donald: Though I had a friend who was murdered, by serial killer Charles Ng of all people, I can't really imagine the trauma of having a child or sibling murdered, particularly when the crime goes unsolved. Thanks for the kind words, and I'm really sorry to hear about your brother.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it if you are white and from Germany the S.F.P.D. will find your killer hella quick, but if you are BLACK or BROWN, never? Elect Harold Miller 4 San Francisco MAYOR and I will hire detectives that know how to solve a BLACK murder!
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