by Karen Saari

Charles Vaughn, Jr., UC Berkeley graduate and father of three, went on a hunger strike  on the one-year anniversary of his father's murder by the Seaside, California, police.

Charles Vaughn Sr. was a highly respected member of his community and a well-loved teacher who was gunned down by police one year ago in Seaside, a town just outside Monterey, California. 

After completing his military service, Charles Vaughn, Sr. obtained a Bachelor's Degree from UC Santa Cruz and a Master's Degree from the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies where he later became a doctoral candidate. Mr. Vaughn taught school for over 20 years in Seaside. Throughout his life of dedication to education and his community, he successfully battled mental illness. 

But on May 19, 1998, police responding to the dubious concerns of a mental health worker who wanted Mr. Vaughn taken in for a mental health evaluation, chased Charles Vaughn Sr., 60-years old and retired, onto the roof of his Seaside home. Frightened and covered with pepper spray, Mr. Vaughn got into a prone position on the roof and asked to be left alone. Police officers on an adjacent structure beneath the roof drew their weapons and ordered Mr. Vaughn off the roof. Mr. Vaughn repeated his request to be left alone. One of the officers, stating that he was going to climb up and remove Mr. Vaughn from the roof, climbed onto the roof and shot off more pepper spray at Mr. Vaughn. Responding to the repeated pepper-spray attack, Mr. Vaughn began to stand up. The advancing officer retreated to the adjacent structure. Another officer, claiming that Mr. Vaughn lunged toward an officer with a corkscrew in his hand, opened fire striking Mr. Vaughn four times killing him. 

This is an UNJUSTIFIED HOMICIDE. Police entered into a situation which they were ill-equipped to deal with and made matters worse. Finally, a man's life was lost. Sadly, this is not the first incident where a police intervention has resulted in the death of an innocent victim. It is becoming increasingly common for police without training and skills to intervene in situations involving the mentally ill and end up killing them. It has happened before in Seaside and it happens nearly every day all over the country. 

Charles Vaughn, Jr.'s hunger strike is to demand that officials take notice and engage in steps to prevent these incidents where police are harming, and in all too many cases, killing members of our community. These are his demands: 

1. That the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, which has discussed a long overdue manual for protocols and procedures for dealing with mentally ill individuals, put these protocols and procedures in place. 

2. That U.S. Congressman Sam Farr and California State Assemblyman Fred Keeley, in conjunction with the County Board of Supervisors, take steps to fund and develop a countywide Emergency Response Team. 

3. That the Seaside Police Department be required to participate in mental health training and follow the aforementioned protocols and procedures in order to avoid similar tragedies. 

4. Finally, that the Department of Justice act on U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Water's suggestion that it open an impartial and in-depth investigation into the death of Charles Vaughn, Sr. 

Press Release of September 26, 1999

Charles Vaughn (aka Alade T. Djehuti-Mes) has concluded his hunger strike. We received the following communication from him via the San Francisco office of the October 22nd Coalition:

Yesterday, D'Andre, Mr. Hall, and myself met with Justice Department officials and they agreed to the demands that had been given to them. First, a full and independent investigation where they would get additional information from me and other sources. Second, the FBI agent investigating my father's case can't be from the Monterey Office. Last that Justice Department officials meet with other families immediately. I had a press conference in Monterey last night and I ended the fast.

Thanks again and much love.
The struggle continues.

Alade T. Djehuti-Mes

HUNGER STRIKE CONTINUES – Vaughn, Jr. Remains on Hunger Strike Despite Loss of 14 Pounds and Dehydration

Charles Vaughn, Jr. maintains that his hunger strike will continue despite the fact that two of his initial four demands have been met. This past week, Seaside Police Department officials announced that their officers will now undergo training to deal with the mentally ill. In addition, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors announced the release of new protocols and procedures for dealing with the mentally ill. 

Vaughn's fast, which he started on the one-year anniversary of his father's killing by the Seaside police, continues into its second week. Today a report by his physician stated that since his fast began one week ago, he has lost 14 pounds by ingesting only water. It was also noted that he was dehydrated and needed to consume more fluids. 

Vaughn has responded by asking "people to continue to pray for me during this time period." 

Vaughn , Jr. has also consulted with long-time activist Dick Gregory on fasting and with the Reverend Jesse Jackson in securing his assistance in having the Justice Department investigate the killing of his father. 

Vaughn , Jr. states that the remaining two demands now are: 

1. That the Department of Justice begin an active investigation into his father's death. 

2. That U.S. Congressman Sam Farr, State Assemblyman Fred Keeley and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors take steps to fund and develop a countywide Emergency Crisis Team. 

TIPPER GORE & JESSE JACKSON TO AID HUNGER STRIKER

In a communication from Charles Vaughn, Jr. today, I learned that Congressman Sam Farr has contacted Tipper Gore, the wife of the vice president, and she will make the case a focal point next week at a conference on the mentally ill being held in Washington, D.C. 

Further, Charles, Jr. met with Reverend Jesse Jackson last week and reports that Jackson promised to support his plea to have the case investigated by the Department of Justice. Charles, Jr. continues his fast. 

You can obtain more information by calling: 
 Mel Mason at (831) 394-2869 or The Charles E. Vaughn, Sr. Foundation at (831) 394-3409 or (510) 763-0332