Thursday, August 14:  The Judge in the trial of Christopher Deedy acquitted Deedy of murdering Kollin Elderts and declared a hung jury with regard to the remaining charges of manslaughter and assault.   On August 29th she is to report on the status of the case and whether there will be a re-trial, or whether it will be dismissed.

Friday, August 15th:  About 100 people responded to a call made by the Coalition for Justice for Kollin Elderts and gathered in front of the Honolulu Zoo for a rally and a march through Waikiki. 

Before the march, statements by organizers called on people to continue to fight for justice for Kollin Elderts, and against racism everywhere.  The murder of Kollin Elderts was linked to the epidemic of police brutality across the U.S., and especially to the recent murders of Eric Garner in New York and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.  

Carrying signs reading "Justice for Kollin Elderts:  Victim of Racism," along with placards with the pictures of Elderts, Garner and Brown, the crowd took off along Kalakaua Avenue chanting:  "Justice! Justice! Justice for Kollin Elderts" and "Ku`e" as an agitator linked the murder of Kollin Elderts with the murders of Eric Garner and Michael Brown and called on people along the route to join the march. Many tourists were stunned that in Hawai`i - a place praised for racial harmony - they would be faced with demonstrators protesting murder by law enforcement and a racist system.  

About 60 people gradually swelled to almost 100 as local people, a Black family, a homeless man, and others joined in.   A street performer along the route shared his own story about Kollin:  how Kollin had always stopped to put money in his hat and had complimented him on his performance.   A Kailua man who knew Kollin from his high school days recalled Kollin fondly saying:  "That agent gotta pay for murder."   A man from St. Louis, and with family in Ferguson, said he was calling home each day to hear more about the demonstrators there, but never expected to see Michael Brown's picture at a protest in Hawai`i. 

As the march neared the Kuhio McDonald's where Kollin was murdered, Jon Osorio picked up the bullhorn and began singing "Hawai`i Aloha" as many in the crowd joined in and then stopped in front of McDonald's for a quieter time to remember Kollin's life.  

Then the march took off again, returning to Kalakaua Avenue for a noisy return to the park. 

The rally and march were both covered by local and national media and reports were carried on the evening news as well as the Star-Advertiser.   Following are some photos:


(photo by Ed Greevy)


(photo by Ed Greevy)


(photo by Ed Greevy)

DEEDY ACQUITTED OF MURDER! MARCH IN WAIKIKI FRIDAY AT 6PM

Subject: MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR KOLLIN ELDERTS FRIDAY @ 6PM!

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State Department Federal Agent is guilty of MURDER!

The Judge in the trial of Christopher Deedy just announced that the jury has ended deliberations.   Deedy is ACQUITTED of murder but there's a hung jury on the charges of manslaughter, two degrees of assault, and intention to use a deadly weapon.   She will make a ruling on August 29th as to how the case will proceed. This could result in a 3rd trial on the charges of manslaughter or the assaults, or dismissal.   The defense is already arguing that a 3rd trial would be too expensive.

This is an outrage! It is urgent that we continue to demand Justice for Kollin Elderts and that Agent Deedy be charged with murder!   It is now up to US!

Come to a March for justice for Kollin Elderts on Friday evening. Assemble at the Honolulu Zoo at 6pm with your signs and your noisemakers. The march will go down Kalakaua Avenue where thousands will witness our rage demand for justice. Many will be tourists coming to "paradise" to escape, but tomorrow night they must confront the reality. Whether in New York City, Ferguson, or Honolulu, Black and Brown youth are being targeted by the murderous enforcers of this racist system! This cannot be allowed to continue!  We say:  NO MORE!

 Our hearts go out to the family of Kollin Elderts. The family has experienced the sorrow and pain of having their beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin killed by an agent of this racist system. They have endured the lies that have been told about Kollin. They have suffered through two trials - forced to relieve the murder again and again while hoping that there will finally be justice. Today was a tremendous disappointment for them. We don't know if any of the family will be attending tomorrow evenings march but they have voiced their support for the action.

Protest Against John Kerry and U.S. Support of the Israel's Assault on Palestine

It was 11am and as invited guests signed in and went through heavy security prior to John Kerry's arrival at the East-West Center on the University of Hawai`i campus, more than a 100 protesters began gathering in front of the center. Most held signs in solidarity with the people of Palestine:  "Free Palestine," "End U.S. Support for Israel," "U.S. Support for Israel = Death in Gaza," "De-Occupy Hawai`i; De-Occupy Palestine" and many more.  A colorful 12-foot banner read:  "Kerry:  You Have Blood on Your Hands!  End U.S. Support for Israel.!   A small group of Hawaiian nationalists held a "Free Hawai`i" banner. 

The protest was remarkable for its diversity, its passion, and its energy.  

Before Kerry arrived more than 8 speakers took the microphone at a short rally  Their statements were short, strong, and clear..  A young Palestinian speaker spoke of her own personal experience, emphasizing that Israel's current assault on Gaza does not have to do with differences in religion, or history, but is instead political.  A representative from Aloha No ka ʻĀina (MANA) condemned Israel's occupation of Palestine and assault on Gaza, as well as the occupation and militarization of Hawai`i.  A UH student from the Middle East called on faculty and students to come together in support of the Palestinian people.   Rev. Neal McPherson, a member of Friends of Sabeel and F.A.C.E, denounced Israel's immoral and unjust war against the people of Palestine.  World Can't Wait-Hawai`i activists exposed Kerry's hypocrisy and called for protesters to hold him, as well as the Obama administration, accountable for war crimes.

As Kerry's caravan approached at nearly 1pm and attempted to sneak into the back side of the East-West Center, protesters maneuvered into positions where their signs couldn't be missed, chanting:  "John Kerry, You Can't Hide - We Charge You With Genocide" and "From the River to the Sea, "Palestine Must Be Free."   Kerry couldn't have missed the signs and chants (which most of the mainstream media refused to cover or even acknowledge). 

That more than 100 people came out during the workday, and when UH was not in session, gave evidence to the strength many in Hawai`i have with the Palestinian people. 

Following are a few photos:

Two Urgent Actions Coming Up!

There have been a number of changes to times.  Please check carefully!

JOHN KERRY:   End U.S. Support for Israeli War Crimes!
Wednesday, August 13, 11:30am
Kennedy Theater - across from the East West Center

John Kerry will speak to an invited-only crowd at the East-West Center soon after noon on Wednesday.  Prior to his talk there will be a rally in front of Kennedy Theater, followed by signholding.   Be there by 11:30am!   You can park at the lower campus parking lot for $6.  Be sure to allow enough time to walk to the East-West Center.

This action was called by the Hawai`i Coalition for Justice in Palestine.  There is more information on facebook (Hawai`i Coalition for Justice in Palestine).   You can also scroll down to one of our earlier blogs for more info. 

JUSTICE FOR KOLLIN ELDERTS!

The Jury in the trial of Christopher Deedy is continuing its deliberations today.  A verdict may be announced at any time.   We are calling for people to respond as follows:

*  Go to State Court (Punchbowl & Halekauwila) on the afternoon the verdict is announced to support the Elderts family if you're able.

*  IF THE VERDICT IS ANYTHING LESS THAN MANSLAUGHTER (i.e. acquittal, hung jury, or assault), there will be a march in Waikiki on the day after the verdict.   Assemble in front of the Honolulu Zoo at 6pm for a march through Waikiki.   Bring signs. 

August 5th Protest

On August 5th the Hawai`i Coalition for Justice in Palestine held its 4th protest at the corner of Atkinson & Ala Moana Blvds.   About 60 people held signs visible to the thousands of motorists who were headed in and out of Waikiki. 

On August 13th the Coalition has put out a call for a protest calling for an end to U.S. Support for Israeli War Crimes when John Kerry speaks at the East West Center.  The exact time is still unknown and will be announced on this site as soon as it is known.   

For more info on the demo on August 13th, as well as the call for a response to the verdict in the Christopher Deedy case, scroll down to the next blog.  Following are a few photos from August 5th.

 

Date: August 7, 2014
Subject: Urgent Calls to Action!

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Following are two Calls to Action. The first is a protest to End U.S. Support of Israel; the second is to respond to the verdict of Christopher Deedy. '

Protest and Rally!
End U.S. Support for Israel!
John Kerry: You have the blood on your hands!
Wednesday, August 13 (time to be announced)
In front of Kennedy Theatre (across from the East-West Center)

John Kerry is the front-man for the Obama administration's support for Israeli war crimes in Palestine. He has repeatedly reassured Israel of the U.S.'s support for their war crimes. He announced the U.S. was providing Israeli with additional military support, including mortar ammunition that even the U.S. military describes as "imprecise," even as civilians were being murdered by those same weapons.

John Kerry will speak at the East-West Center on his return from a Asia-Pacific tour that includes talks in Burma, Australia, and the Solomon Islands (tour). The tour focuses on U.S. relations with ASEAN countries, especially U.S.-Australia military relations designed to strengthen U.S. control in the region.

This protest, called by Hawai`i Coalition for Justice in Palestine, will hold John Kerry and the US administration responsible for supporting war crimes against Palestine, and connect these to conditions of Occupation in Palestine and the Pacific. Prior to the protest there will be a rally with speakers from Movement for Aloha No ka ʻĀina (MANA), World Can't Wait, Friends of Sabeel, and UH-M (among others). More info is available on Facebook at "Hawaii Coalition for Justice in Palestine." The specific time of John Kerry's remarks at the East-West Center has not been announced but we expect it to be in the late afternoon or early evening. Watch for updates.
 

Justice for Kollin Elderts!

The trial of Christopher Deedy has ended and the jury is now in deliberations. A verdict could come be announced at any time.

World Can't Wait-Hawai`i urges everyone who can to go to the Courthouse (Punchbowl & Halekauwila) between 4-6 on the afternoon of the verdict to support the Elderts family regardless of the verdict.

If the verdict is anything other than murder or manslaughter (i.e. acquittal or assault) there World Can't Wait-Hawai`i is calling for a protest demanding JUSTICE FOR KOLLIN ELDERTS on the day after the verdict. Gather in front of the Honolulu Zoo with your signs, banners, drums, and noisemakers. We will march through Waikiki. (A few T-shirts are still available at Revolution Books for $5) More information will be sent out shortly and we'll send an alert as soon as we hear the verdict. Check your e-mail regularly

August 5 - Protest to End U.S.-Backed Israeli War Crimes!

Tuesday, August 5, 4-6pm
Protest to End U.S. Support for Israeli War Crimes Against Occupied Palestine

On each of the past three Tuesdays more than 100 people have come out to protest Israel's vicious assault on Gaza.   About 70 people marched from the State Capitol to the corner of Atkinson & Ala Moana holding signs, drumming, and chanting.  At Ala Moana/Atkinson they joined about 30 more who were holding signs.

What's happening in Gaza is Genocide!  Three UN refugee centers bombed.  More than 1.8 million people trapped in conditions that have been compared to those of the Warsaw Ghetto.   People told by Israel to flee their homes to refugee centers, where they are then bombed by Israel!   More than 1400 dead.  More than 8,200 wounded..  More than 80% of the casualties are civilians.  Drones flying overhead 24-7, creating an atmosphere of constant fear.

At the same time, the U.S. shamelessly re-arms Israel with military weaponry even their own generals describe as "imprecise."   In our names!

Silence = Complicity!   Speak out everywhere -- in your churches, in your classrooms, among your friends and at your workplace.  Urge people to join the weekly actions to publicly speak out against U.S./Israeli war crimes!    Write letters to the editors.  Call the media to demand that they cover the demonstrations (news of local protests has been notably missing!

Following are a few photos from the last march.