Together We Can Bring Hasanni Home Search Inspires Vigil
September 8, 2009
Jackie Wright
Wright Enterprises
P.O. Box 884714
San Francisco, CA 94188
415 824 3990 415 525 0410
P.O. Box 884714
San Francisco, CA 94188
415 824 3990 415 525 0410
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2009
CONTACT:
Sherri-Lyn Miller, 510 690 3730
Courtney Tascoe-Burris
510 517 0785
"TOGETHER WE CAN BRING HASANNI HOME"
VOLUNTEER SEARCH YESTERDAY YIELDED NO HASSANI: VOLUNTEERS INSPIRED BY THE NEWS
VOLUNTEER SEARCH YESTERDAY YIELDED NO HASSANI: VOLUNTEERS INSPIRED BY THE NEWS
Volunteers gathered at Lake Elizabeth Hold Vigil for Hasanni Campbell
on Monday, September 7, 2009 and every Monday until he returns.
on Monday, September 7, 2009 and every Monday until he returns.
FREMONT, CA-In the wake of the Oakland Police Department declaring the Hasanni Campbell case was no longer categorized as a missing person but rather a homicide case, volunteers were relieved and inspired that they did not find Hasanni in designated areas of Fremont, CA including Coyote Point. A grassroots volunteer call to action to search for Campbell kicked off the Labor Day Weekend with over a hundred people including San Jose Search and Rescue Team and the Newark Community Emergency Response Team looking in the Lake Elizabeth Central Park while Labor Day picnics and parties graced the beautiful bucolic setting.
Volunteer organizers, Sherri-lyn Miller and Courtney Tascoe-Burris, achieved their main search goal to eliminate Lake Elizabeth as a site where Hasanni Campbell could be. Saturday's search from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ended with volunteers joyful about the results. "We didn't find Hasanni here and that is good news for us," said Sherri-Lyn Miller, Search Volunteer Organizer. Now we can go to Oakland and focus on the area where it was reported he disappeared." As Miller thanked volunteers, she encouraged everyone to attend a vigil being held for the child at a church near the location where he was reported missing: College Ave Presbyterian Church (5951 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618) this Monday, September 7th at 6:30PM in the Rockridge area of Oakland. Organizers say the vigil will take place every Monday until Hasanni returns home as long as the Rockridge community welcomes the volunteers.
"Our prayers are being answered," said Dr. Ramona Tascoe, medical doctor and religious leader. "We did not find Hasanni and we look forward to finding him alive which is our ultimate prayer. Dr. Tascoe, who was brought into the volunteer search by her daughter, search organizer, Courtney Tascoe-Burris went with a team to search the Lake Elizabeth area and beyond at Coyote Point and the Salt Flats near the Dumbarton Bridge in Fremont.
Like many of the spontaneous volunteers, Phil Emery, head of the San Jose Search and Rescue Team, saw a report in the media and contacted Miller to be of assistance. "For twenty-four of our thirty member team to show up on a holiday weekend demonstrates the level of commitment our folks have to search and rescue, " said Emery. Our volunteers train twice a month, pay dues and buy their own equipment so they are a very dedicated group. We were able to serve and also give our team additional experience," added Emery.
Nine-year Air Force veteran, Jeff Emanuel, who worked as helicopter crew chief in a special tactical unit in the military, drove from Livermore, CA to volunteer his expertise as a diver to help with the search for Campbell. Emanuel, who is a quality engineer for a parts supplier, said "I have always been interested in emergency response so helping with this search is my way of giving back to the community."
One of the drivers for volunteer recruitment has been media. "We'd like to thank the media for helping get the word out about the search and for coming out to see this grassroots effort to help bring Hasanni home, said Tascoe-Burris. "We've been concerned and voiced it in one of our news releases that mainstream media tend not to prolong their coverage of missing children of color. Today's turnout gives us hope that Hasanni will not be forgotten. Thank you."
Because no Amber Alert was initiated for Hasanni Campbell, Tascoe-Burris and Miller said the national media needs to pick up the story because the child could have been taken across state lines since is August 10th disappearance reported by Louis Ross, foster parent and fiancé' to Campbell's aunt, Jennifer Campbell, also a foster parent of the child. Ross and Campbell were arrested in the case, but no charges have been filed to date.
California's criteria for activating an Amber Alert include:
* The investigating law enforcement agency confirms abduction has occurred.
* The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
* The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
* There is information available that, if provided to the public, could assist in the child's safe recovery.
Volunteer organizers continue to ask why an Amber Alert was not issued? As the group continues on its quest to find Campbell, organizers say they are cognizant of the fact they are a grassroots organization and in no way want their actions to reflect on the work of the Oakland Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
They are just responding as "the village." Tascoe Burris reiterated the volunteers view point: "We can not assume, as the police have done, that this boy's life is no longer salvageable. If anything, the disturbing words from the investigators should serve as motivation to make us even more relentless in our search efforts. They may have given up hope, but we will not. Together, we can bring Hasanni home," said Tascoe-Burris, Search Volunteer Organizer. "We love our children and the search sends a signal to other young people that they are valued and the community will look for you if you are lost."
Tascoe-Burris corrected the media report that Hasanni Campbell, who suffers from cerebral palsy, wears braces on his legs. She reports he wears corrective shoes that are not noticeable to observers.
Those interested in volunteering should call 510 690-3730 or 510 517-0785. Additionally, volunteers with website development and media experience are being asked to assist in the on-going efforts. An email address to contact organizers is findhasanni@gmail.com.
Organizers are also encouraging people to donate to the Oakland Police Department's Crime Stoppers reward fund that was boosted from $10,000 with $50,000 from the efforts of Oakland City Councilwoman Gail Steele that included a $25,000 donation from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Anyone with information about this case may call the Oakland Police Department at 510-777-3211 or 510-238-7934 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
Please share this on-going story with your media contacts across the nation.
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Photos taken 9/5/09 by Jackie Wright
San Jose Search and Rescue Team Joined Search for Hasanni Campbell.
Photos taken 9/5/09 by Jackie Wright
San Jose Search and Rescue Team Joined Search for Hasanni Campbell.
Independent diver Jeff Emanuel talks to Sherri-Lyn Miller,
Bring Hasanni Campbell Home Volunteer Organizer about His Dive.
Dr. Ramona Tascoe (3rd from Right) Huddles with Team
for an Inspirational Cheer to Find a "Living Hasanni!"
Bring Hasanni Campbell Home Volunteer Organizer about His Dive.
Dr. Ramona Tascoe (3rd from Right) Huddles with Team
for an Inspirational Cheer to Find a "Living Hasanni!"
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