By Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig

During the last week, many local and national leaders have stepped up to offer their support to the family of Oscar Grant and to the community — pledging answers and change.

    A town hall meeting was held Saturday at Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. The meeting, which included several local leaders and national representatives, was another gathering held in recent days to offer community members a chance to express their concerns and frustrations.
    Some who participated in the event include Jack Bryson, father of one of the young men who sat next to Grant while he was shot; Nation of Islam Minister Keith Muhammad and Dereca Blackmon who encouraged the community to remain peaceful during these difficult times; ministers from the interfaith community; and BART officials who apologized for the incident.
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    On Thursday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to hearing that the Oakland Police Department would conduct its own investigation into the shooting death of Grant.
   “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Oscar Grant as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” wrote Lee. “I am pleased to learn that the Oakland Police Department is being brought in to conduct an independent, third-party investigation of this horrific incident. Hopefully, the Oakland Police Department will conduct a swift and thorough investigation into Oscar’s tragic death.”
    Lee also asked the community to remain peaceful in their protests.
   “Our community is rightfully outraged by this deplorable act. We have a duty and a right to peacefully protest in an effort to seek justice,” she continued. “However, in Oscar’s memory, let us not create more violence.
   “Rather, we should continue to exercise our right to assemble peacefully as we seek answers to this deplorable act. We should also continue to insist that the investigation into the shooting be thorough and expeditious.”
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    As of Friday afternoon, 38 businesses had contacted the city of Oakland for assistance in covering damage costs following Wednesday night’s riot downtown.
    The melee took place when a peaceful protest and march became unruly and rioters smashed windshields, set fire to cars and damaged storefront windows across downtown. More than 100 people were arrested during the incident.
   Businesses affected by the violence can contact Oakland’s Business Services Division at (510) 238-7405.
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    The Oakland-based Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is calling for a “thorough, independent investigation into the training, supervision and arrest procedures of BART police” and “a full criminal investigation to be conducted by the state Department of Justice of all officers involved in the shooting that evening.” The center supports legislation to create a civilian oversight board for BART police.
    Donations for Oscar Grant’s family can be sent to his mother: Wanda Johnson, c/o Ella Baker Center, 344 40th St., Oakland, CA94609.
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    The Alameda County district attorney filed formal charges Friday against three people arrested during Wednesday night’s riot downtown.
    Oakland resident Andrew Lewis, 20 — one of those arrested on suspicion of breaking the windows of the McDonald’s at 14th and Jackson streets — was charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor vandalism. Cleveland Valrey Jr., 30, was charged with felony arson for setting fire to a garbage can at 14th and Clay streets. The San Franciscan, a journalist who reports for KPFA radio and the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper, denies the accusations. Lee Y. Pang, of Oakland, was charged with misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon and possession of a loaded firearm. The 28- year-old reportedly had two guns on him when arrested by police.
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    Early Saturday, Attorney General Jerry Brown announced his office would oversee the investigation into Grant’s death currently being handled by the Alameda County district attorney’s office.
    The announcement came after Brown met with members of the local NAACP. He said he is confident that the county is handling things properly, but wants to make sure the investigation is done in a timely manner.
   “We can’t just sit around,” Brown said. “We have to work … to get it done.”
    In response to Brown’s commitment, BART General Manager Dorothy Dugger said she welcomes the attorney general office’s involvement.
   “We are committed to an effective and thorough investigation in full cooperation with the district attorney and the attorney general,” Dugger said. “We hope the investigation is concluded as quickly and as efficiently as possible and that the district attorney provides the answers that BART and the public are all seeking.”

For more viewpoints in the Globe’s ongoing coverage of Oscar Grant’s shooting, visit stpminute.blogspot.com.