This article continues Rochester Indymedia's ongoing coverage of the Tyquan L. Rivera trial. Rivera, 15, a local, youth of color accused and convicted of assault in the first degree and attempted murder in the second degree, was found guilty despite there being no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony against him in the shooting Rochester police officer Anthony DiPonzio last January. Rivera will be sentenced later this fall in Monroe County Supreme Court. Rochester Indymedia reporters decided to cover the proceedings from the beginning to the end after we observed a disturbing imbalance of coverage against Rivera in the corporate media’s stories about the case.

Members of the collective were present in Judge Joseph Valentino’s court every day, all day for weeks of pre-trial evidentiary hearings, jury selection, and Rivera's trial. What emerged over time from our observations was a picture of systemic racism in our county judiciary and law enforcement carried out through a determined use of police intimidation and falsification. The following article recounts many instances in which these tactics were used by local authorities against Rivera and his family, which ultimately culminated in a trial-cum grand media spectacle. Presumably, this spectacle and subsequent legal injustice was staged—complete with live television coverage in the courtroom—to instill the idea, in communities of color, that anyone involved in any sort of altercation with the police, no matter how circumstantial (save passively standing by and taking whatever brutality the police decided to dish out) would result in the loss of one's liberty and way of life.

Specifically, in this article, you'll read about the verdict, the treatment of Wanda Lise—Rivera's mother—by police, an updated time line of events on January 31st, the direction of future articles in the series, and our observations from court.

Additional Information: Oppression Continues in the Courtroom and in the Media: Tyquan Rivera's pretrial hearing | A Child in Chains: A reportback from Tyquan Rivera's pretrial hearing | Media Review of Last Month's Pretrial Hearing | Digging for Truth in the Tyquan Rivera Case | Let’s Not Retreat into Cocoons of Expedient Simplicity and Pretentiousness

Related: Demonstration Against Abuse in Erie County Jails | Rallying Against RICO | Indy TV #27: Davy V on Police Brutality and Fighting back with Video Documentary | AARM Holds Second Event on the Media and Racism | Racism and the Media Community Discussion a Success | Facts about Juvenile Injustice | Activists Against Racism Movement

In this episode we talk with Richard Katskee, Assistant Legal Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, about a Greece, NY lawsuit dealing with sectarian prayer at public town meetings.

Katskee is the attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Town of Greece, NY and Supervisor Auberger. Katskee also won the well known Dover, Pennsylvania case concerning using "intelligent design" cirruculum in public schools.

Watch Indy TV #29

The Flying Squirrel Community Space is the multi-use community center being renovated at 285 Clarissa St., formerly the location of the historic Flower City Elks Lodge. Most of these renovations are being completed by volunteers, supported by donations from Rochester activists and community organizers. We expect a formal opening in late October.

Together, we want to provide a welcoming space that will cultivate and sustain long lasting relationships between artists, activists, and community members in Rochester so that we may work together to create positive social change. We are excited about the location because of its historic significance as a community center, its potential as a multi-use building, its central location as a gathering space for Rochester area groups, and the rich cultural history of the Clarissa St. neighborhood.

The Flying Squirrel will operate as a grassroots meeting space that will host: gallery space exhibiting regional art; community workshops and community classrooms; 'open-mic' and local poetry readings; practice spaces for musicians; live entertainment in the form of local musical performance, locally produced dance, and film screenings of locally produced work; community craft production and craft exhibits; small academic conference space and public lecture space; and a community kitchen — all this provided reliably and consistently at no cost or for a small donation.

Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm and on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 6pm.

Email us! FlyingSquirrel (at) rocus.org
Join the mailing list at: lists.riseup.net/www/info/Rochester-Community-Space
Look us up on FaceBook: FlyingSquirrel CommunitySpace

Audio: Voices From the Flying Squirrel Community Space

Activists Against Racism Movement (AARM) is hosting our first annual Mingling with the Media picnic this Saturday 12pm-4pm at Brown Square Park.

The main goal is to bring the community together with media representatives in a casual, fun setting. We hope that this will give people an opportunity to build relationships with reporters, editors and administrators in the media and to give feedback on the way stories get covered in Rochester.

The secondary goal is to have fun, eat food and celebrate summer. There will be music provided, hula-hoops, volleyball and lots more. We hope to see you there!

This Saturday is going to be a busy day. However, the Flying Squirrel Benefit goes until 2am in the morning, so making both events is easy.

What: Clarissa's hosts a benefit for the Flying Squirrel Community Space!
When: Saturday, August 22nd, 1pm to 2am
Where: Clarissa's at 293 Clarissa St.
How much: $5 suggested donation, 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
Contact: Dawn at 585-415-7808 or FlyingSquirrel@Rocus.org

Come out for music, open mic, and food!

Clarissa's, at 293 Clarissa St.—formerly the Clarissa Room, have been incredible neighbors and have opened up their jazz/blues club for a benefit for the Flying Squirrel.

**Come hear the sweet sounds of Amanda Fromm, Cinnamon, Mitch Jones, a Jazz Ensemble, Amy Coppola, Ian Downey Is Famous, Ryan Clover, Deb Magone, Ben Lawler, Attic Abasement, Gordy Peterson, and more!**