Redwood Curtain CopWatch, based in the north coast of California, is part of a larger movement of self organized CopWatch groups throughout the US. Our local efforts seek to intervene in the drastic rise of the presence, militarization, and violence of the police, and build support networks based on self-determination, caring, and concrete needs.
COPWATCH: MORE THAN JUST WATCHING THE POLICE
Submitted by admin on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 5:24pm
COPWATCH: MORE THAN JUST WATCHING THE POLICE.
We formed Redwood Curtain CopWatch, outraged about excessive police force,
EPD killings, and the harassing and brutal role that police have in and
against our communities. We've been sharing strategies of survival,
witnessing, and resistance to police brutality and transformative
community actions with CopWatch groups throughout the country.
Redwood Curtain CopWatch NOT ONLY documents oppressive, abusive police
activity...
Also, we work on supporting victims of police brutality & people caught in
the criminal (in)justice system.
COPWATCH INVITES YOUR STORIES so we can support individuals- & their
families- who have been brutalized/harassed/murdered by police, keep a
public history/log of specific abusive cop activity, and spread truth
regarding harmful incidents& trends.
We seek to Create Support Networks of community options (that don't
involve the state) for people when: they believe they're in danger; need
emotional or mental health support; are being harassed; have problems in
their neighborhoods; have fear due to their immigration status... We
believe that building community and neighborhood relationships is
essential to protect each other from police violence. Community building
will go a long way toward ending other violence in our lives.
We have found that State-sponsored "solutions" such as police, the mental
health system, and local "homeless plans", most often deceive and
terrorize us.
We believe that for true justice, we must examine and address the
underlying oppression & mindsets that lead to unmet needs, economic
disparity, fear of each other, and all forms of violence.
As a community we can work towards creating real justice that heals &
transforms rather than destroys and erases. Police violence does not make
us safe.
RESIST POLICE BRUTALITY!
For Victim Support WE NEED:
• Healers, good listeners, counselors, survivors
• People to speak with victims and witnesses& document their stories in
safe settings
• Lawyers & organizations to file lawsuits, petitions, etc.
• Supporters in courtrooms
• People demanding justice through direct action, protest, outreach, etc.
• People to staff a HOTLINE
For Community Support WE NEED:
• Healers & healing networks to work OUTSIDE OF THE SYSTEM (i.e. Icarus
Project, mental health support, physical health networks, rape crisis
help, domestic violence victim support, addiction counseling)
• Support & organizing for and with youth, immigrant communities,
houseless people
• People to give workshops on subjects including: know-your-rights,
non-violent direct action, racism, sexism, etc.
• Gathering & office spaces
• Digital video cameras, tapes, digital audio recorders
