YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RALLY FOR RESPECTED ELDER – Seattle, 206

Members of the United For Youth Coalition, UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center, Seattle Hip Hop Youth Council, Hip Hop Congress, Poor Peoples’ Economic Human Rights Campaign, Workers Economic Recovery Campaign, will hold a rally tomorrow, June 24th, at 10 AM in front of the King County Jail (5th & James) to support a respected elder and pillar of our community Omari Tahir-Garrett (Hon. James C. Garrett) who was arrested yesterday while observing Seattle Police Department officers near 23rd and Union in the Central District.

Omari is a 63 year resident of the Central District, founder of the African American Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, Elder of the UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center, a Little League baseball coach for over 30 years, former High School educator, US Army Vietnam era disabled veteran, Garfield High School alumni and star quarterback, a grandfather, human rights advocate, and counselor to youth and fellow veterans alike.

According to witness accounts, Omari was watching the police detain several young men near the bus stop when the police accused him of harassing them and placed him under arrest. He has since been charged with harassment, unlawful use of a weapon, and “obstruction”, according to the King County Jail.

“I have known Omari for over nine years”, says Central District resident and waterfront stevedore Leith Kahl. “The accusations leveled against this man are outlandish. He does not harass people. He does not threaten people with weapons, and he certainly does not obstruct justice. When I first came to this city, Omari welcomed me to his community. He does consistently exercise his legal rights to observe the police while they are on the public payroll.  Every Eagle Scout, including this one, knows that this is one of the basic responsibilities of a defender of democracy.”

Longtime supporter and legal assistant of Omari Tahir, Kevin Johnson, says “Omari Tahir has proven himself to be one of the most sincere movers towards humanizing this community that I have ever met. After working with him for over 9 years, of one thing I am absolutely certain that Omari would not commit the crime that he is accused of. I will continue to support him no matter what”.

“We strongly suspect that the actions taken by Seattle Police in arresting Omari Tahir are the result of his consistent devotion to speaking truth to power, and we will continue to monitor this situation to ensure he is not unjustly penalized for his dedication to police accountability and the safety of youth in the community,” says Julie Chang Schulman, Northwest Regional Director of Hip Hop Congress.

We are asking members of the press to be present to cover both this rally and Omari’s court hearing, which will be taking place inside the court at 10 AM.

Contact: Leith Kahl

press@umojapeace.org

(206) 940-3807