GROUP PROTESTS ALLEGED WRONGFUL SLAYINGS BY POLICE

A Houston organization announced Tuesday it will take part in the fourth
annual national day of protest against police misconduct during a downtown
gathering Oct. 22.

The Coalition for the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality,
Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation held a rally at Market
Square Park to protest what it called the wrongful slaying of 2,000
civilians by police during the past several years.

Organizer Toylean Johnson said the Oct. 22 protest seeks to generate
awareness of the "state's repressive programs".

Protesters spoke Tuesday of a "conspiracy" by the American judicial system
to protect police who commit illegal acts including the killing and
brutalization of civilians. They did not cite specific examples.

They did point to the 1998 killing of Pedro Oregon by Houston officers
during a drug raid and the 1995 slaying of teen-ager Travis Allen by
Bellaire officers as examples of deadly police misconduct.

"I will join any group that will stop the killing and brutality," said
Allen's father, Noel. His son, high on LSD the night he broke into a home,
was wrestled by two officers who shot him twice in the back.

Allen, who contends the officers killed his son unnecessarily, believes
society and public officials must act to renew public confidence in police.

Protesters shouted that the news media have played a role in creating an
unrealistically positive image of officers while glossing over their alleged
misdeeds.

Citizens are asked to wear black at the Oct. 22 rally at Market Square Park.