Our History Begin with Founding the Oscar Grant Foundation

The Oscar Grant Foundation (OGF) was established on August 13, 2010, as a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. It was founded by Oscar Grant Uncle, Cephus Uncle Bobby Johnson, after the criminal trial and subsequent conviction of former B.A.R.T. Police Officer Johannes Mehserle for the January 1, 2009 unlawful killing of Oscar Julius Grant III. On July 14, 2014 Uncle Bobby gifted the Oscar Grant Foundation to his sister, Oscar Grant mother, Wanda Johnson. Oscar’s mother, Rev. Wanda R. Johnson, now heads the OG Foundation, and its mission is to help bridge the gap of distrust between individuals in at-risk communities and law enforcement.

“THE SHOOTING DEATH OF OSCAR GRANT”

In the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009, Oscar Juliuss Grant III was fatally shot by former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California, USA. Responding to reports of a fight on a crowded BART train returning from San Francisco, and based on only a general description of those involved in the fight, Several BART Police officers detained Oscar Grant on the platform of the Fruitvale BART Station. By the time Mehserle arrived at the scene, another BART officer Tony Pironi was restraining Oscar, who was unarmed and lying face down on the platform. Based on the belief that Oscar was reaching into his waistband while being restrained by that other BART officer, Mehserle claims he thought Oscar had a gun, but mistakenly drew his 9mm pistol instead of his Taser, and discharged a single fatal round striking Oscar in the back. Oscar was pronounced dead the next morning at Highland Hospital in Oakland.

The events were captured on several digital video and cell phone cameras. The footage was quickly disseminated to media outlets and to various websites, where it was viewed by millions. The following days saw both peaceful and violent protests.

On January 30, 2010, Alameda County prosecutors charged Mehserle with murder for the shooting death of Oscar Grant. Mehserle soon resigned his position and pleaded not guilty. After a change of venue, the criminal trial began June 10, 2010 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

On July 8, 2010, the jury returned its verdict: Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and acquitted of both second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, but also found guilty of the gun enhancement charge. Judge Robert Perry, claimed he erred in his instructions to the jury and removed the gun enhancement charge. Initial protests against the ruling were peacefully organized, however, looting, arson, destruction of property, and small riots broke out after dark. Nearly 80 people were eventually arrested.

On July 9, the U.S. Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation against Mehserle, however, in July 2015, DOJ declined to file federal charges against Mehserle.

Uncle bobby wait outside jail of mehserle On November 5, 2010, Mehserle was sentenced to two years in State Prison, but was given double credit for the 146 days he had already served prior to sentencing, thereby reducing his sentence by 292 days to serve only 11 months. Mehserle served his time in the Los Angeles County Jail, occupying a private cell away from other prisoners, and was released on June 13, 2011. Uncle Bobby outside Los Angeles County Jail waiting for Johannes Mehserle exit. They remove him through the back door. Those considerations disappointed Cephus “Bobby” Johnson, who waited outside the main jail in Los Angeles. He said he wanted to see Mehserle leave and to force the former officer to see him.
Instead, Johnson and other relatives – who believe Mehserle should have been convicted of murder for the New Year’s Day 2009 shooting – learned of the release through telephone and e-mail alerts sent before 12:30 a.m. by the National Victim Notification Network.
“If you have any concerns about your immediate safety,” the alert stated, “contact your local law enforcement agency.” The Justice Department inquiry of
Mehserle, now a parolee, is not in the clear. Xochitl Hinojosa, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Justice Department, said the agency’s civil rights division was still reviewing the shooting to see if it warranted federal prosecution charges.

Our Family Tribute to Oscar Grant Pt1– Family
Oscar Grant Family reflects on their relationship with Oscar — Grandmother Bonnie, mother Wanda Johnson, sister Chantay Moore, daughter Tatiana Grant, fiancée Sophina Mesa, Uncle Bobby, and Uncle Daryl

Our Family Tribute to Oscar Grant Pt2– Oscar Mother Wanda, Oscar Fiancee Sophina, Oscar Daughter Tatiana

Tatiana Reads Letter to her Daddy Oscar Grant

Wanda Johnson, Oscar Grant’s mother speaks on the murder of her son

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