Demand the L.A. Distinct Attorney drop the charges now!

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Los Angeles, CA – One year ago, on May 17, 2011, Carlos Montes awoke at 5:00 a.m. to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s SWAT team crashing down his front door and waving automatic weapons in his face. Sheriffs handcuffed Montes and put him in the back of a squad car, where the FBI attempted to interrogate him about his association with 23 other anti-war activists targeted by the FBI.

Los Angeles, CA – Over 100 supporters rallied in front of the Los Angeles Superior Court May 15 to demand, “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes.” The supporters included MECHA students, union members, teachers, vendors and community members, as well as activists from the anti-war movement.

Los Angeles, CA – On April 26, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli ordered the trial of longtime Chicano and immigrant rights activist Carlos Montes. The trial will start on May 15. Shortly after this trial date was set, a massive campaign began around the country to demand L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley to drop all charges against Carlos Montes.

Los Angeles, CA – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has created a great new video on the life of Carlos Montes, and the fight to beat back the attempt to jail him.

Los Angeles, CA – Thousands of protesters took to the streets here on May 1, International Workers Day, to demand legalization for all. The protest, organized by Southern California Immigration Coalition, was the largest Los Angeles May Day event. The mostly Chicano/Latino crowd was made up of students, teachers, vendors, garment workers, parents and activists from all the progressive movements, including the Occupy movement. Participants and supporters of the demonstration included the United Teachers Los Angeles, International Action Center, Union Del Barrio, Bayan USA, FMLN, FSLN, L.A. Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Mecha and others.

Los Angeles, CA – On April 26, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli ordered a trial to begin on May 15 for Carlos Montes, a longtime Los Angeles Chicano activist in the anti-war, immigrant rights, public education and Chicano liberation movements. The trial will start at 8:00 a.m. at the Criminal Courts Building, 13th floor, Department 100, at 210 West Temple Avenue in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, CA – On the evening of April 14, dozens gathered at the Echo Park Methodist Church in Los Angeles at a fundraiser in support of Carlos Montes. The event, dubbed a “Night of Solidarity,” featured speakers from a variety of social justice movements, political poetry, music and a multiple course dinner. All proceeds and donations supported the LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression’s defense work.

Movement builds to drop remaining 4 charges

Los Angeles, CA – In the first significant victory in the case of veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes, Superior Court Judge George Lomeli handed down a ruling March 27, dismissing two of the six felony charges that are pending against Montes. Thanking supporters outside the courtroom, Montes said, “The success we have had here today is due to your efforts and to those of my attorney, Jorge Gonzalez. Two charges down, we need to get the other four dropped.”

Los Angeles, CA – Veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes will be back in court March 27. The LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges activists to join them at the Superior Courts Building to picket and pack the court hearing. They will raise the demand, “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes.”