The gun
The gun
   Where did it come from?

Finger prints
Finger prints
   Where have they gone?

In this city
   A life was lost

What time did the bullet break the spine?

11:50?

12:50?

I can’t tell you that?
You can’t tell me?

          Last week five students sat before you
            Paul Held and Karen Rosenthal

          You spoke of how powerless you are to find the answers to these questions.

          You said the DA wouldn’t listen

          There is no point using your position as MAYOR of this City to ensure a

                REAL investigation into these matters

                         Of the Gun
                               The ‘Muzzle Flash’
                          The very hour of the shooting remains in question

           You looked us straight in the eye and told us you were powerless.

            I look you straight in the eye and tell you that I, alone, am powerful.

                       Five foot two
                       21 years old
                            certainly not the mayor of any city
                    but Powerful enough to say no.

No to the stonewalling of the truth in MY, in OUR, community.

         You see this congregation of individuals behind me
              We are not simply a mob, an angry hoard of confused children…
          We are restless spirits
               Restless because a brother, father, son, friend, human being
               Irvin Landrum, Jr.

        Was shot to death in this community, there are questions, and you refuse to demand the truth.

You would let this happen in your city?

               Because these questions remain, because you nurture their existence with your silence

                We are not safe.

                 Right before you cut out early on the student meeting,

                  Karen Rosenthal,

                 You told us that you know what it is like to fear for your life
                  You told us of the time you spent as a Peace Core volunteer in revolutionary Ethiopia…
                   You talked of the bombs and the guns and the fear.
                        And you said…

                  Thankfully I flew out of there.

Well, I am here questioning for those who can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t have to fly away from here.

                 Understand, if you will

That there are those living in this community who fear for their lives everyday

And who have no choice but to live with it…

                          Silently.

                     Or question, challenge it, stand against it….  Vigilantly.

               When we saw the questions looming,

When we felt the noose tightening around this city strangling the possibility of finding the truth…

                 Of uncovering the ‘secret’ of Irvin Landrum Jr.’s death.

          All we needed next was breath.

Breath to push forth from our lungs in a chorus of questions.

City Council, Mayor Rosenthal, even you Glenn Southard

       We can see you breathing.

            So why aren’t you questioning?

            Why aren’t you acting?

          Already we helpless students and concerned community members have successfully pressured the DA Gil Garcetti to review the Landrum Shooting.  Now we must make sure thy are as Vigilant as they must be.  Step up Claremont and set a precedent for vigilance in the pursuit of truth.

        Let peace…

            And not just quiet

            Live here in Claremont.

Members of the City Council, Mayor Rosenthal, even you Glenn Southard

            We are watching
                 But growing tired of waiting.

             What excuse could there be but

             Apathy, Laziness, or Indifference for you to maintain silence in the face of

                  The gun
                  The hour
                  The left hand question
                       No fingerprints
                            No muzzle flash

        No, we are not safe.

Restless spirits can smell injustice

After more than a year, we know that Irvin’s injustice has gone from ripe to festering.

When we are oppressed, let us fight for our own freedom.

When we are free, let us join in the struggle to free others.

Right now, struggle with us to free Irvin’s truth and Irvin’s justice.