BY LEA SHERMAN
HOUSTON-Some 150 protesters against police brutality
marched through the streets of southwest Houston September
20. Chanting "Justice for Pedro Oregón now," in English and
Spanish, they proceeded to the Mark Five Apartments where
Pedro Oregón Navarro was killed by the cops. There they held
a moment of silence in memory of the 22-year-old Mexican
immigrant worker.
On the night of July 12, six police stormed into Oregón's apartment without a warrant and fired 30 rounds of bullets. Nine of the 12 shots that hit Oregón were fired from behind. The six cops involved are suspended with pay, while a grand jury hears testimony on the case.
Led by Oregón's family, the marchers drew interest in the largely working-class, immigrant community. Many came out on the balconies of their apartments to watch; some marched a few blocks talking and agreeing with the demonstrators' demand to jail the cops who killed their neighbor.
The march ended with a rally at Burnett Bayland Park, where speakers from the Coalition for Justice for Pedro Oregón, the sponsors of the march, and others vowed to continue protests until the cops were charged with murder.