March/Rally Focus On Change

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Sen. Chambers keynote speaker
Posted: 4:11 PM Jul 19, 2008
Last Updated: 11:51 PM Jul 19, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

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A march and rally held in north Omaha Saturday afternoon called attention to economic problems and ongoing violence plaguing the community.

More than 100 people participated in the March for Change. Walkers filled 24th Street calling on the community to work toward peace and prosperity. "You've got to stop shooting the messenger."

"I just want to stop the violence on both sides, whether it's the police, whether it's the people in the neighborhood,” said Eileen Waits, hoping to call attention to issues she says are plaguing north Omaha and hoping people will start to listen. "We need to get these guns up off the street and everybody needs to take care of their own children."

Police helped clear 24th Street so walkers could make their way through safely, but they were also targeted by walkers like Anne Else who thinks the city needs to bring back a police auditor. "Police need to be held accountable for their misdoings and their crimes as well as ordinary citizens."

State Sen. Ernie Chambers helped support the event organized by Omahans For Justice Alliance. "I'm just a part of the community walking."

Organizers hoped to draw attention to several issues, including a lack of economic development, racial profiling and guns and violence.

By walking, holding signs and just making noise, those marching hope to make a statement that lasts well beyond Saturday. "We need to come together,” said Waits. “This black community needs to come together, that's the honest truth."

The march lasted about 40 minutes, wrapping up with a rally at Miller Park.

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Posted by: Here on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:30 PM
If only we could go back to the 60's!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jacqueline Dumas on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Since when is taking pride in your heritage racist? We are a proud people does that make me less american to be proud of my roots? I am american and my grandfathers grandfather was African and my grandmother's grandmother was french. I celebrate all my heritage! does that make me racist?

Posted by: Jones on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:55 AM
There is a lot of "preaching to the choir" on this topic. The folks who need the scolding are not reading this, nor did they take part in the march. They aren't working two jobs to support their kids nor keeping them home at night. My question is, how do we get their attention? Police brutality is warranted, in my opinion, since they don't pay attention to a nice approach. I hope the marchers can make more positive gains in North O, but cut out the police brutality signs- don't hurt those who try to keep the rest of you safe.

Posted by: Michal on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Of course Ernie C. was there. He stirs the pot of racism every chance he gets. This march just gave him another opportunity to do so. It is easy to blame others on problems you yourselves create. Instead of marching, take some action and do things to improve the situation. This means you too Ernie. Stop being a racist.

Posted by: Patrick on Jul 22, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Jacqueline, I see plenty of racism in the comments here, too. Things like "The black community needs to stand together," and "unite and be the proud strong people we decended [sic] from," and finally, "We are Kings and Queens[;] let's band together and prove it." Jaqueline, those are the words of a racist. A racist who won't be satisfied with equality. A racist who expects supremacy over others. Shall I genuflect at the likelihood?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 04:56 PM
B: Thank you for the voice of reason.

Posted by: llr on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Maybe OPD should just close down the north precinct and move completely out of North O. Maybe then the residents will be happy, after the gangs burn down what's left of it and keep up the killing until there's no one left to kill. You can't have it both ways...you either want a police presence or you don't.

Posted by: Jacqueline Dumas on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Wow the racism here never stops amazing me I'm am glad the march took place and hope in couple of week there is another!! Hopefully I can make this one if I can get off one of my 2 jobs. And, I hope they have red Kool-aid it's my favorite. Stand strong north O. The black community needs to stand together!! They used the jim crow laws to break us down and it's time to break that cycle. so we can unite and be the proud strong people we decended from. We are Kings and Queens let's band together and prove it. And anyone who doesn't feel that way feel free to look me up.

Posted by: Kent on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:28 AM
Let me get this straight. Associated with the march is the quote: "You've got to stop shooting the messenger." Then Anne Else yells at the police (who are there helping the marchers) because there's no police auditor. The police have no power to hire an auditor; the position must be independent of the PD. Come on Anne, stick with the focus of the march and don't shoot the messenger! It seems like harassing the police when they’re there to help has become a regular pastime in North O.

Posted by: B on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I've lived in N. Omaha for the past 31 years. I went to attend this rally. When I talked to several people who were there, all I heard was we need to stop the police brutallity. We need economic development. Not once did I hear ANYONE say, we need to change the way think and act and start helping the police sovle these crimes. Such things as cooperation with the police was never mentioned! What a wasted opportunity for the black leaders to change some minds. Needless to say I left and went home. Until people in this community change the way they think and change their attitued towards the police, nothing is going to change!

Posted by: anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 01:35 PM
This march occurs every year it seems. This time they carried "end police brutality" signs. Nothing will ever change in this neighborhood. Nobody cooperates with the police and parents let their teenage gun-wielding kids in the streets at night. Shootings occur multiple times a day there- it is out of control. The city cannot help you if you don't let them. But go ahead and keep blaming the cops for your failure to police your own families and neighborhoods. I would guess that the remainder of this city appreciates the police, like we do in our neighborhood, of course, then again, people don't get away with firing guns at random targets out here either. Our citizens will not stand for it. Police are not there to bring you prosperity, nor are they there to end violence- that is up to those of you living there. Police are responsible for investigating and solving crimes. They are doing a gtood job at that considering nobody tells tham anything.

Posted by: To Anon @2:19 on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM
You are unable to find where in the story they blame the police or color??? Eileen says herself "This BLACK community needs to come together" and one of their issues was racial profiling, plus one of their signs said "Stop Police Brutality." What part of that does not seem like they are blaming the police and are not making race an issue. How does a "Black Community" stop profiling when you are starting out by sterotyping your own cause. Quit blaming other people and starting acting like adults. Informing the police of what you saw is not snitching it is aiding in the capture of a criminal, DUH.

Posted by: mTm on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Wake up "J" and catch a ride back to reality. you Kool Aide drinkers need to get a taste of reality. I want peace too but accept it can't be that way without change not some media circus march about hate and racism.

Posted by: a on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Im sure they will all meet again next year, same place, time, and reason. Its odd that a kid gets shot and killed in west omaha, the people talk, and someone goes to jail all within a week. Take note N. omaha.

Posted by: ANON on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:21 PM
March again, now you got them rolling. Listen to all these comments. C'mon people united we stand.

Posted by: jj on Jul 20, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Interesting that Ernie is out there now, that he want another position and is out of the limelight, he needs a crowd...

Posted by: BJ on Jul 20, 2008 at 04:14 PM
God bless em. At least their trying to send some kind of message. Its just that the "people" who live their are never going to change. Its just how it is.

Posted by: Change D. Rest on Jul 20, 2008 at 03:32 PM
They did get change, term limits "changed" him right out of the Capitol. We need more "change" like that at city hall now.

Posted by: Laura on Jul 20, 2008 at 02:45 PM
How is marching going to do anything? North O is breeding this violence, the way children are raised, the fact a single mother having 10 children and having more. This is not a black thing. There are blacks living in west omaha. If they can take control of their lives the way people should why cant people in North O do it? Marching means nothing, that takes no effort, finding a job, any job, raise children right does take effort so stop complaining and actually put effort in your life, that will stop the violence.

Posted by: jp on Jul 20, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Several good points here. But the best one as described by Tim is that some people refuse to help the police. I'm sorry that the police cannot be on your doorstep in 5 seconds or that they can't solve your crime in 48hrs. Everyone in North O expects Omaha PD to solve crime in 48 hrs like they do on TV, but if you watch the show those cops get cooperation from witnesses, even if its anonymous. Quite your crying and racism cries, call the cops and give them a heads up. But I guess all these thugs are well respected kids who were changing their lives and blah blah blah...good grief.

Posted by: ANON on Jul 20, 2008 at 02:19 PM
This is what NO Omaha has needed. Your comments make me sick people. You yourselves have turned it racial. Not once in here does it say they blame police or color. They are simply saying they are coming together as a community to get answers and action. This makes me feel proud. This rally is not to place blame, this rally is a statement that the community is saying they've had enough. Keep it up people this is your community and you can own it once again by coming together just like this. Fight back. You have the power. It takes TEAMWORK. Do it for your children. THis is about good and bad. Not black or white. Not citizens or uniform. GOOD VS BAD.

Posted by: J on Jul 20, 2008 at 02:01 PM
C'mon, mTm, that walk was joined by Nebraskans for Peace and those people are some of the least racist bunch of people I've ever met. I think they were there to genuinely promote peace. This was an all ages, all races walk. Yes, the media likes to report on the inflammatory aspects, but that's why it's news. Did you know that Ernie Chambers, along with his normal musings, actually encouraged young people to go to school and get educated? I hope that at least one person's life was changed for the better by this.

Posted by: Mary O. on Jul 20, 2008 at 01:52 PM
It's certainly your right, but marching isn't going change a thing. And it's funny how the police are always the problem. Have you ever thought that if you and/or your neighbors took parenting seriously and held yourselves and children "accountable for their misdoings and their crimes," you wouldn't have to see the police in your neighborhoods? Why blame the police? They aren't the ones handing out guns to your kids and dividing them into teams of rival gangs.

Posted by: karen on Jul 20, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Enough with the rallies. I think that the folks that put them together mean well and are at least trying to do something positive for the area. However, I think they need less rallies and more positive PARENTING. Dont blame racism anymore.....that is such an old approach to a problem that you and your children created! Violence in North O has nothing to do with cops, racism or blaming others. Take responsibility for your actions and get an education, a job and a life instead of expecting handouts. Think twice about letting your kids out after midnight so he wont get shot. Work hard and move to a better area if you dont like what area your in. Every problem has a solution but guesse what?? It takes hard work and sweat and determination. You are not helping your community by complaining. You're sending the message out to the next generation that getting something for nothing is okay. The main issie with North O is that they have never learned from past mistakes and violence.

Posted by: citizen on Jul 20, 2008 at 12:26 PM
If the rallying folks want to address ongoing violence plaguing the community, they should start by correcting the "no-snitch" street rule that just caused the release of a two-time murderer.

Posted by: Jeff on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The area is a majority black community, but is it right to call the area a "black community" when it has white and hispanic residents? Would a white or hispanic resident have been welcome in the march? Or was this event only for the black residents, such that the "black community" is separate from the white and hispanic residents?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:51 AM
That rally was a freakin joke. That's 3 minutes I can never get back.....

Posted by: John on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:14 AM
If the same people who were involved in this march just went around the same area and picked up garbage and cleaned up grafitti they would all see an immediate change. When residents show concern for their neighborhoods things will get better. Untill then, blaming everyone else will allow North O's downward spiral to continue.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:08 AM
"Organizers hoped to draw attention to several issues, including a lack of economic development, racial profiling and guns and violence" Economic development, If you build a business there eventually it will be robbed or burned down. Racial profiling, Who's doing the shooting down there blacks or some other race? Gun violence, It's not the fault of the gun. it is the fault of poor parenting and a lack of long prison sentences for violent offenders. Throw away the key and keep the crimminals from being repeat offenders.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:42 AM
A parade shows that some folks are interested in making a change for the better, now, after the parade get off your butts and DO SOMETHING about it. Chambers is nothing but a mouth and no real action. He had years to DO something and only made trouble. If this is your area, clean it up, work WITH the police not against, and go after thre real problems -- gangs for one. Get jobs, don't hang out on street corners at 2 am! Get responsible about what you, your children and their friends are doing no matter whart color you are. Do not expect others to solve your problems.

Posted by: Jeff on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Media hype, usual blame card(s), no responsibility and bogus community "leaders" that their own community doesn't even like. Thanks to the media catering and abusing this and every other similar situation. Fuel the fire but do nothing to help. Giving one biased side of the story - where's the "tough" journalist with the "real" questions for these people and their "problems". Next blame the police, the City, and anyone else for racial this or that. Nobody builds up there because the community doesn't want it - have something nice and prosper -they couldn't whine and cry then sooo... Do everything possible to keep businesses out - crime and hate etc. The police cannot save them. They blame the police for EVERYTHING crime, rain, heat, snow ANYTHING "bad" is because of the police. That drum is worn out. Not even worth commenting on. Ernie is a joke. His own community doesn't like him but because he cries and makes noise they "use" him. He has no pull or power - he's another mouth.

Posted by: Rachel on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:10 AM
I really like the "Stop the Police Brutality" sign! Yet they need the police to lead their rally. Hard tax payers money at work again!!!

Posted by: An Angry Omaha Citizen on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:08 AM
I am so sick and tired of the "Poor Me" rallies. There are 2 certainties in this situation. 1) Change has to come from North Omaha. I cannot do anything in West O to help your cause. If I see my neighbors house being broke into, you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to rat out who did it. You have to do this yourself! You have to start speaking up. When there is a murder, robbery, etc, do something about it! Tell the truth and admit who is at fault and who committed this crime! If people in North O don't start stepping up to the plate, you are just going to continue to downward spiral more. 2) Bottom line, all of you in North O got yourselves into this situation, do what it takes to get yourself out, and yes, that might mean get a job so the rest of the tax payers don't have to flip the bill for your needs and listen to this pity party anymore. It is tough to get up and go to work everyday, I've been doing it since I was 16, but hey, I don't have any media complaints!

Posted by: Tony on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:12 AM
A rally is a great idea but from the above photo and story it doesn't seem like there was much racial diversity. Some of the people blame the neiborhood some the police and others the community leaders. It comes down to people. Good, bad, or indifferent everybody needs to help each other. And to the poster me. Doesn't sound like it was all a pity party and that some of these people really wanted to get the word out and help the community. Maybe you should find out a little more about a situation before condemning it. Or better yet drag yourself from behind the computer and check it out in person.

Posted by: wow. on Jul 20, 2008 at 01:25 AM
An anti-police rally. Why not call it what it is. Because really, out of 100 shootings and killings in North O, maybe one would involve a police officer, if that. And--when it does--the person on the other end always seems to have a gun. I bet a new auditor would fix all the problems of North omaha.

Posted by: mTm on Jul 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
We're all sick of the constant rallies, alleged racism and blaming others but the media loves it. The media loves race.

Posted by: Sick of Ignorance on Jul 19, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Why don't you people stop placing blame on people you have no reason to blame! You can blame the police, the mayor, and every Omaha n that is doing better than you are! You can continue to let these people kill each other

Posted by: Tim on Jul 19, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Typical North Omaha, blame the Police. How could an auditor help control all the shooting? Instead of looking for a handout look for a handup. You can't have a bake sale in North Omaha without a shooting. Then look at their so called leaders, Chambers, Hamilton and the joke called the NAACP. All they do is place blame and do nothing to solve the problem. Just like the guy that got off of the murder charge because people in North Omaha have no spine and refuse to cooperate with the police. You reap what you sow and North Omaha you are reaping what you have sown! Quit blaming everyone but yourselves. The rest of Omaha is sick of it.

Posted by: me on Jul 19, 2008 at 07:05 PM
If you work, you'll have money. When you are more concerned about getting your 8 hours of sleep to work a full day than you are about standing on street corners, there will be less crime. Less crime will equal less racial profiling. It doesn't take a college degree to figure that out. Rallying about unfair treatment and EXPECTING something for nothing is a waste of daylight people. I'm tired of the pity party!

Posted by: jp on Jul 19, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I hate to say it, but North O is getting out of hand. But I do not buy this racial crap that people place on them. The crime in North O is glamorized by the press because its got shootings and such. Why not do news about run down white neighborhoods, them on welfare and such? I really don't care what color you are, a criminal is a criminal and a trashy rundown neighborhood is just trashy.

Posted by: L'Shondra on Jul 19, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Why can't we figure out how to stop the nonsense on the northside? Our community needs to stand up and take responsibility!

Posted by: mTm on Jul 19, 2008 at 04:19 PM
I'm very happy that the leaders care enough to atleast make a showing. Give me a break on the racial profiling becausase its obvious who is committing the crimes. The ecomonic development is obvious because until the area cleans itself up, stops the violence and take responsibility no one wants to develope up there or open a business. Isn't it obvious???? Ernie you brag about how great you are - then use your mightly powers to fix it instead of blaming others.