News and Views from the People's Struggle
Anaheim, CA – Hundreds marched on the Anaheim Police Headquarters, July 29, to protest police killings of young Chicano men. The protesters confronted the police with chants, shouts and banners denouncing these brutal and racist killings. The Anaheim Police Department (APD) has carried out a rash of killings this year, far more than previous years. Two people have been killed in the past week.
San José, CA – On June 25 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against most of the parts of Arizona’s SB1070, which had ignited nationwide protests against the anti-immigrant law. But at the same time the court upheld part of the law that would allow for expanding federal and local joint efforts to deport more undocumented people.
Lakeland, FL – After a six day fast, members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) broke bread with 1000 supporters to protest the Publix food corporation un-fair treatment of its workers, March 10. The CIW is a group of Latin American and Haitian farm workers and tomato-pickers fighting against modern day slavery and for living wages. Presently, the Immokalee Workers are putting pressure on Publix Supermarket for not paying a penny more per pound of tomatoes. Publix is mainly located in Florida but also has stores in Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
Minneapolis, MN – On March 2, protesters gathered at the Minneapolis Federal Building to show their solidarity with veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes as he was in court in Los Angeles. The Minneapolis protesters called the repression against Montes a frame up and demanded that all charges against him be dropped. Montes was in court on March 2 for pre-trial motions, with an upcoming trial looming. He is one of 24 activists being targeted for repression because of their anti-war and international solidarity activism. Montes' life story was featured this week in Los Angeles magazine, detailing his inspiring history of activism since the 1960s and the serious repression he has faced, and continues to face. The Minneapolis protest was organized by the MN Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #ChicanoLatino #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #CarlosMontes #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #MinnesotaCommitteeToStopFBIRepression
San José, CA – On Feb. 19, almost 50 people packed the San Jose Peace and Justice Center to hear Carlos Montes speak. The event was sponsored by the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression and co-sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center and by MAÍZ (Movimiento de Accion, Inspirando Servicio – Movement of Action, Inspiring Service).
El 24 de enero, el líder chicano Carlos Montes estuvo en la corte de Los Ángeles, California con audiencia ante el juez George Lomeli; el abogado de Montes, Jorge González, pidió al juez que eliminara los cargos contra Montes debido a la falta de evidencia, después de escuchar los argumentos del fiscal y de la defensa, el juez rechazó la apelación de falta de evidencia presentada por el abogado de Montes, eso significa que el caso contra Montes aún continúa; La próxima audiencia ante el juez será el 8 de febrero.
_Outrageous court decision – trial looms ahead _
Los Angeles, CA – “In the interests of justice this case should be dismissed,” said attorney Jorge Gonzales, lawyer for veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jan. 24. Minutes later, though, Judge Lomeli sided with the prosecution, refusing to dismiss the six trumped up felony charges against Montes, on the grounds of insufficient evidence, setting the stage for a trial later this year. The court room was filled with supporters of Montes who wanted to see the charges dropped.
Minneapolis, MN – Billed as a report back from the first national conference of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR), more than 50 people gathered for here Dec. 15 for an exciting event that featured veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes, a moving message from Noor Elashi and an important speech by anti-war leader Jess Sundin.
Los Angeles, CA – Hundreds marched here Dec. 10, protesting “Secure Communities,” the Immigration Custom Enforcement/police program that attacks poor and working class immigrants, mostly Mexican and Central American, who are caught up in traffic or other minor infractions.
Este sábado 12 de noviembre “Occupy the Hood” y “Decolonize the Hood/Descolonizar el Barrio” marcharán por el poder afroamericano y latino. A la 1:00 p.m., en el lado sur de la ciudad habrá una demostración en la 27 y Nacional, cerca del Banco M&I, mientras en el lado norte la demostración empezará en la 26 y Wisconsin, cerca del US Bank.
Los Angeles, CA – Más de 60 personas asistieron a una protesta aquí cerca del Edificio de la Corte Criminal el 12 de agosto para exigir el fín de los cargos contra el lider chicano y activista anti-guerra Carlos Montes. Montes ya se había presentado en la Corte de Alhambra, California el 6 de julio, donde él se declaró innocente de las 6 felonías relacionadas a las leyes de armas de California.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression:
Los Angeles, CA – Supporters of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes gathered on July 6 at the Alhambra courthouse in East Los Angeles. Montes appeared in court to enter a plea of not guilty to six felony charges that were filed after a SWAT team and FBI agents raided his home on May 17. More than 60 people came out to picket and rally in his defense at the court and packed the courtroom during the hearing.
Gainesville, FL – A dozen protesters gathered here, June 16, to speak out against the political repression of Carlos Montes, a longtime immigrant and Chicano rights activist. The rally was put on by the Gainesville Committee to Stop FBI Repression and took place in front of the local FBI office. Carlos Montes’ home was raided by Los Angeles sheriffs and the FBI on May 17 and he is facing trumped up charges. The raid on his home is linked to the raids on other anti-war and international solidarity activists that started on Sept. 24, 2010.
Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 protesters gathered in front of the FBI offices here, June 16, to demand that the charges be dropped against veteran Los Angles Chicano activist Carlos Montes. Protest organizers blasted the growing attacks by the FBI and other police agencies on anti-war, international solidarity and progressive political activists.
Chicago, IL – Chicago activists, including those from the immigrant rights and Chicano movements, rallied at the Dirksen Federal building on June 16 in solidarity with veteran Chicano activist, Carlos Montes. Montes was raided by the Los Angeles County Sherriff and FBI on charges of a firearm code violation. They seized his personal effects and over 40 years worth of political movement documentation.
Los Angeles, CA – Video of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes speaking after his June 16 Court appearance. Montes talks about the LA Sheriffs and FBI raid on his home, legal developments in the case, and how his case is an extension of the repression that is being employed against anti war and international solidarity activists in other parts of the United States.
#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #CarlosMontes #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Students for a Democratic Society's National Working Committee in support of the veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes.
Join the National Day of Action – Thursday, June 16, 2011
Fight Back News Service is circulating the call from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, urging cities to organize actions in support of Carlos Montes, a longtime activist for worker and immigrants’ rights.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following petition demanding an end to the prosecution of veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes. We urge all of our readers to sign it.