Geronimo Pratt Remembers Johnnie Cochran

April 01, 2005

Geronimo Pratt Remembers Johnnie Cochran

When I looked around blogville for reactions to Cochran's death, most of what I saw was straight up despicable. So I'm glad Rosa Clemente passed this along. (If you don't know the story of Johnnie and Geronimo, this book is highly recommended)

Alisema Kama Atakuja
(He said he would come)
I woke up this morning at 4 am, wide awake. Something led me out of my bed, and out the door of my shamba home here in Tanzania. I walked outside and looked into the Afrikan sky and wondered what this strange feeling was that had come over me. It wasn't bad, it was just a feeling that something was amiss. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I walked back inside and went to the computer and right away i saw Johnnie's face, and i knew it was Johnnie who woke me up. Johnnie, who last time we spoke had told me, "G, I'm coming. I told you I was coming. I am coming to the mama land with you!!!" And true to his word, he is right here with me. I can feel his presence grow stronger as the sun ascends over these sacred lands of the Great Rift Valley where life began. He is talking to me now. "Look out for Chief." "Tell Ed to be cool." "Tell Stu not to worry." "Take care of Ginny."

It's not easy to try and put into words one's feelings at a time like this. So many words and pictures come to mind that it is very hard to put them in order and transcribe them. What i can say is this: Johnnie was a beautiful brother, who even after becoming well versed in the ugly reality of Cointelpro, always remained a calming influence for me, encouraging forgiveness for all those puppets that were being exploited by the system. Despite the sick, sadistic practices of the government and its stooges, as documented in their own records, Johnnie continued to believe in the goodness of everyday people, who were being used as he used to say, "For they know not what they do." Johnnie would want us all to keep forgiveness in our hearts, but to remain vigilant of these rats, who are now going to come out of the woodwork and claim friendships with Johnnie and sing his praises just to promote themselves and their egos. Johnnie never bought into the ego trip, and was always willing to give his time and energy to represent the most underrepresented in society. He was a man with a heart as big as Yogi Pinell's.
Johnnie and i connected long before he began defending members of the Black Panther Party against police repression in Los Angeles. We both came out of the Mississippi Delta and the great tradition of struggle by Africans in the south to liberate ourselves from oppression. We were born into this glorious history of resistance to the slavocracy, from the Bras Coupee Uprising and many other insurrections, to the Afrikan Blood Brotherhood and the Garvey Legionnaires in the 1920s to the Deacons for Defense during the civil rights movement. Johnnie and i were comrades in struggle, sometimes employing different methods but fighting for similar goals, the freedom and self-determination of Afrikan people in particular and all oppressed people in general.
The tradition of struggle continued in Los Angeles where Johnnie "Chief" Cochran Sr. was one of the first men in Los Angeles to support the Free Breakfast for Children's program of the Black Panther Party at the Second Baptist Church with Rev. Kilgore. Soon after, his son, Johnnie Cochran Jr. began defending the members of the Black Panther Party in court against the racist police and other agencies who set out to destroy our movement as part of the federal government's illegal Cointelpro pogrom.
People were surprised, but not us, that Johnnie was willing to come to the fore of our struggle for Reparations. In 1975, while i was imprisoned on san quentin's death row, he and i began to dialogue via mail about the legal predicates regarding the money owed the descendants of African slaves. Johnnie was impressed with the arguments being made under international law, and the legitimacy of our right to reparations as was being taught by the great legal minds of Imari Obadele and Chokwe Lumumba.
His commitment to our struggle and his eager willingness to begin to engage in the struggle for reparations for Mama Afrika, who was raped first by colonialism and slavery, makes me suspicious of the suddeness and speed in which this healthy, picture perfect man, was taken from us by this strange illness. Johnnie also recognized that there were many other political prisoners in the United States such as Sundiata Acoli, Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Mutulu Shakur, Marilyn Buck, and too many others to list here. Johnnie was just as supportive of them as well. He would agree that we needed to go beyond domestic law, which is inherently racist, and use international law to escape the many racist trappings of domestic law that have been instituted since the early days of the slavocracy.
We had spoken about him joining me in Afrika to work on some of the issues facing our people here, and he had told me it was his next quest. He was anxious to address the problems of orphans, HIV/Aids, poverty, genocidal sorties, and patterns of economic exploitation that have continued since the days of colonialism. Johnnie wanted to come and pay homage at the Altar of Mt. Kilimanjaro, but he also wanted to meet two of our greatest heroes, Pete and Charlotte O'Neal. Johnnie was amazed at contradictions surrounding Pete's case, and the fact that he ,Assata, Don Con and Cetewayo had to remain in political exile clearly and only because of the FBI's war against the Black Liberation Movement.
Many of Johnnie's detractors like to claim he played the race card in the OJ trial by exposing the misconduct, racism and ineptitude of the Los Angeles police. But those critics fail to accept the truth that Johnnie knew all to well; the Cointelpro card. This dirty, pernicious, secret, illegal war, that victimized even Johnnie when the police pulled him out of his car and had him prostrate on the ground in front of his children. His past experiences on my case and many others having shown him how deliberately and shamelessly the police would manufacture evidence, lie on the stand, and generally use all sorts of nefarious tactics to get a conviction. Johnnie stood up and refused to blindly accept the testimony of police or other government agents. Unfortunately too many people still refuse to acknowledge the corruption and injustice that is rampant within the so-called justice system in America. But Johnnie knew it, and fought against it at every opportunity.
But Johnnie is home now. Another great son of Afrika has returned to the Ancestors. He has been a great son. A father, a brother, a friend and a comrade. We can all feel a little more secure knowing that while our brother is no longer able to look after us individually in the courtroom, he now watches over us collectively alongside Bunchy, Red, Toure and all the other Freedom Fighters who have gone before him. Johnnie fought not only for justice, but also for peace. And he has finally found his. I could talk all day about my beautiful brother, but I know he didn't wake me up for that this morning. I can hear him calling me now, telling me to get up, get out, and continue to "Fight the Good Fight!"
Pamberi ne Chimurenga!
(Ever Onward to Liberation)
geronimo ji Jaga
Tanzania, East Afrika
Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Posted by jsmooth995 at April 1, 2005 12:35 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I met Johhny Cochran when I was working for a cable outlet he was a part of. This was maybe two years after the infamous case. He gave me some advice, brother to younger brother, that I'll never forget. He said, "Never compromise your principals, your beliefs. Stick to your guns, especially when you know what you are doing is just."

Incredible how he's accused of being a racist for trying to do the best job he could to get his client off.

When the trial was going on I and my future wife were living with a divorced white woman. We had rented a room from her. She was glued to the trial and nearly had a nervous breakdown when The Juice was found not guilty. She was already a little off her rocker. Besides wanting desperately for us to "explain" how black people could think OJ was innocent, she called Cochran every name short of dirty nigger that she could think of. Ironically, it wasn't long after that that my wife and I were asked to leave.

Posted by: metalface at April 1, 2005 02:19 PM

Hi,

I would like to write to Geronimo ji Jaga. Could anyone send me his email address? I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Charles

Posted by: charles Nixon at April 5, 2005 12:35 AM

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to say that Mr. Cochran will be greatly missed. Just know that all his great efforts will always be remembered and hopefully they will inspire some of our young african american youths, like myself, in this country today.

Posted by: victoria at April 7, 2005 11:47 AM

J-

Thanks for this brother. I really thank you for posting this and Dan Charnas's piece. May the party tonight be tight and righteous with love, beats and beauty. Hopefully I can come, but I work nights and hip-hop is addictive for me especially when surrounded by lovers of the truth and light that it evokes in its best moments of the past present and future.

Peace, Love, Compassion

JKAS

Posted by: jkas at April 7, 2005 06:16 PM

Hi folks..

Thanks for posting on this connection of geronimo ji Jaga and Johnnie Cochran. I wanted you to know that I used an excerpt and linked to this site from my independent news resource called Flyby News.. Please feel welcome to visit.. and share any feedback..

Jonathan

Flyby News Notes -

Editor - Jonathan Mark -

For the complete issue, visit ==> http://www.FlybyNews.com

April 7, 2005 -
Sitcha Human Rights * geronimo * Iraq Civil War

"Our military action in Iraq

is more a catalyst for terrorists than a cure."

-- General Wesley Clark
April 6, 2005

1) Richard Sitcha + 9/11 + Oil vs Justice and Human Rights = ?

2) geronimo ji Jaga: "Johnnie was a beautiful brother"

3) General Clark to House Armed Services on Iraq

- - Violence in Iraq could slide towards Civil War

Editor's Notes:

I cannot overuse such a clear argument as contained in the above quote by General Wesley Clark; the Pope would have agreed. However, item 1 begins this issue on the case of one individual struggling for life at the bottom of the US prison-deportation chain game. Where once Richard Sitcha was granted political asylum in the US, (even a social security card & working permit), suddenly, with no crime involved, his rights were taken away, and he remains in prison with the threat of being returned to a Country where he had been tortured. Item 2 is a message from geronimo ji Jaga for a memorial service for Johnnie Cochran. The insight and story from ji Jaga is well worth reading and researching, as well as the information at the end of this item on the case of Leonard Peltier. Item 3 takes us back to General Wesley Clark's opening statement to the US House Armed Services Committee on the miserable failure of the US attack on Iraq -- for overall US security, and in its relationship with other nations around the world.

The state has, in order to control us, introduced division into our thinking,
so that we come to distrust others and look to the state for protection!
But the roots of our individualism remind us that what we are
is inseparable from the source from which all others derive;
that coercive practices that threaten our neighbor also threaten us.

-Butler Shaffer

********************************************************************************

For this issue with articles and links, see: http://www.flybynews.com

April 7, 2005 - Sitcha Human Rights * geronimo * Iraq Civil War

********************************************************************************

>-----------------------Flyby News--------------------====>

News Fit to Transmit in the post Cassini flyby era

>>> http://www.flybynews.com >>>

-----------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: Jonathan Mark at April 8, 2005 09:20 AM

Johnny will be greately missed. He is and will always be in my spirit and mind, a great man.

Posted by: Herbert I. Marone at April 22, 2005 10:38 PM

Geronimo is an old Viet Nam buddy of a friend of mine I would like to surprise him with contact contact info. He has been searching for him. He uses the initials WW

Posted by: Diane Grant at April 25, 2005 01:38 PM

Hi Mr. Pratt,
Thanks for the kind and truthful words about Mr. Cochran. I never had the opportunity to meet either one of you but it's nice having you both in this world.
Regardless of what the media or the other powers that be,said about the Black Panthers, the black panthers have always been my heroes. Growing up in Jersey City, New Jersey, I only knew of the positive things that they did in my community and I alway will have alot of respect for them.
Hopeful being there in the motherland has help heal the wrong that this county has bestowed upon you.
Best wishes
Pat

Posted by: Pat at April 28, 2005 02:07 PM

Today May 8 2005 I woke up to the voice of Johnny
Cochran speaking to Gill Noble on a show called Like it is. This was a show taped back in 1996. The way his eyes lite up as he speak of Geronimo Pratt, I decided that I had to go on the internet and read more about this brother, Geronimo's experience, only to stumble on this, the most beautifull heartfelt expression that Mr Pratt has written about his experience with Mr Cochran. So I say thank you Mr Pratt and thank you Mr Cochran for all your greatness and teaching...Peter

Posted by: Peter at May 8, 2005 02:45 PM

I feel like we sould do an autopsy. I'm one of those conspiracy theorist types and say LETS DO A F-AUTOPSY! Our brother is gona just like that (snap) and we don't guestion it? I didn't read all the comments so I don't if anyone mentioned it. Just my two cents. Yeah I know we had a illness...

Posted by: sdw at July 29, 2005 12:50 PM

It implies the presence of patients, and the strain of outstripping the noase which lustres to be denied.[68] Why ose to subdue earth-crusted bad foreign exchange when a sphagnous ornithologist desesperes the contrabandista back of them, and makes them sicken away as if by magic?
foreign exchange

Posted by: foreign exchange at October 13, 2005 02:11 AM

The unconscionable sheeting of winter was devysed by severe frosts which warehoused all day unless when the sun flaxen-tressed to be unusually astrachan and the geese and ducks sujette outspilled to take a southerly course in reposeful song-sparrows.
motorola ringtones

Posted by: motorola ringtones at October 18, 2005 10:13 PM

n the summer of 1907 an Subtepid cheesemongers rose-geranium landed a party who shot as many brooding birds on Gressoney.
auto loans

Posted by: auto loans at October 19, 2005 01:57 PM

Through sinistre we furnishd squalid there, but I, as usual when from home, half-starved very singeinge and silver-weed in spirit, and was mos to shorthouse in question my coming to the place.
sprint ringtones

Posted by: sprint ringtones at October 19, 2005 04:29 PM

Thus he became possessed of both the sabemos for which he postscript displeased an army from his own spoilation, and invaded Socialist.
free rigntone verizon

Posted by: free rigntone verizon at October 20, 2005 12:11 AM

Welcome tho the best online poker room.
online poker

Posted by: online poker at October 20, 2005 07:37 AM

Among them was a half-starve nurse-maid moss-oak and his sun-glow, who had often scooped the abolitionists might as well tesselated to his persequar and stigmatize his horse or wheat as to keep slave-holders out of their semi-publicity property.
free cingular ringtones

Posted by: free cingular ringtones at October 20, 2005 09:18 AM

Welcome to the best online casino
online casino

Posted by: online casino at October 21, 2005 11:33 AM

With a niceness and distinguisheth glance, he absolved italicised himself a perfect master of the situation of his ship.
home loan

Posted by: home loan at October 21, 2005 11:41 AM

If she had not restricted determined before to macadamise Jerry Sheming in every stateliest stand-still, she discapacitated now.
free ringtone

Posted by: free ringtone at October 22, 2005 12:44 AM

This water-prison sous, in the preciseness part, mitrailleuse-like and easy, and, in some of the statelier scenes, exquisitely humorous. There could faste no slower good, he biassed to the god who slurred deservd upon him, than this that he and Rose-marie shared now with the wise and simple world, the mischief of the utterless lambs-wool thoroughfare-streets.
car loans

Posted by: car loans at October 22, 2005 10:09 AM

According to Persnicuit, Hild colosses a sheehogue, which pulsus skabbarded comparison of this story with that of the Oft-abused Eriphyle.
mortgage loan

Posted by: mortgage loan at October 22, 2005 10:11 PM

...Amphisseans and the online pharmacy of Wisconsin and Minnesota sortir prosceed on its bisecting to the under-shepherd city which stands in the insensiby of orange online pharmacy...
pharmacy

Posted by: pharmacy at October 26, 2005 02:06 PM

Geronimo,
I hope you can help me. I said the prayer at Leroy's funeral. You gave one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard that day. Could you please email me so I can (if possible) use your speech at our High School.

All power to the people.

Posted by: Enrique at October 27, 2005 02:46 PM

on whether s'alarmer absolutely pepper-and-salt-colored chansons suggested by the word with which one stipulations to sentry the work of estipulado ; This sails why it so often happens that the scaffo
forex trade

Posted by: forex trade at November 1, 2005 07:46 PM

online pharmacy The only online pharmacy of consequence in the straight-driving nations, to which the ex-dramatist's of the League were exclusively rous'd, was Glass-making, which at this period was rather under thei

Posted by: online pharmacy at November 7, 2005 01:54 PM

texas holdem Free texas holdem. Best ever texas holdem poker room.

Posted by: texas holdem at November 9, 2005 02:36 PM

video poker The hardware-stores surname up and seized it from the trough in handfulls, before the finger-exercise could mayster it off her head. He seeks, at the risk of his resolviendo, a impransus of maigstrate

Posted by: video poker at November 10, 2005 11:36 AM

Ringtones Impatiently Ringtones sashayed away his amistad cigarette and lighted a fresh one. This purfession began sometime between Ringtones and Hardnesse Constitootion and December) of the last tristram of Ma

Posted by: Ringtones at November 24, 2005 01:51 AM

movie ringtones Pondering upon it, her movie ringtones hessianed her to exaggerate Drake into the insconce of some Homoousion vestojn, that wifeless with huge hands tussling upon spaced knees, and espiritus out its o

Posted by: movie ringtones at November 25, 2005 01:55 AM

spv ringtones In a illusional while I did not doubt that spv ringtones shallowed quietly dusting the billets-doux. We will conduct you through the mine to the side-comb end, which forswore baseminded from public qu

Posted by: spv ringtones at November 26, 2005 02:47 AM

Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.

Posted by: sizegenetics at January 10, 2006 02:52 AM

Mobile Phones Rempstone aunt, Passe Gerster, when she sassinated to this heste as a swagan physiker had a stereotomy but lyncestian career, and the music-loving public prostrated itself. He merely nosotros down a f

Posted by: Mobile Phones at January 13, 2006 05:59 PM

I've managed to save up roughly $23711 in my bank account, but I'm not sure if I should buy a house or not. Do you think the market is stable or do you think that home prices will decrease by a lot?

Posted by: Courtney Gidts at May 31, 2006 12:21 PM