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.
District Attorney
MESSAGE: from Redwood Curtain CopWatcher to Del Norte WatchDog- Regarding Cop with Taser Killing of (unarmed) Man in Crescent City, June 22, 2010
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 5:43pmLenda,
Please encourage the family to request an independent autopsy and for the body to be PRESERVED.
When the system tells a grieving family that they have 'this' many days to cremate or bury, the grieving family usually does it quick and has to rally together the money to pay for it. PLEASE tell them that they are entitled, if they request and notice the coroner, to an independent forensics testing (not sure how to pay for it, but it would be a forensic pathologist that the family chooses) and that should halt the "destruction" of Daniel's body.
Also, they should work on not allowing the body to be destroyed so that if or when they sue , there is a body to examine. OFTEN, the coroner's reports (including toxicology) do NOT match up with 1) the injuries that parents have seen on their dead children's bodies and 2) the substances that persons had in them prior to death (i.e. nicotine, marijuana)
Jails Kill Prisoners or Neglect Them To Suffer and Die; Then Blame Death on Deceased
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 06/11/2010 - 1:50pmSonoma County D.A. says "no fault" in Jail Death
By Mary Callahan, Press Democrat: June 11, 2010
The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office has concluded that a 44-year-old Santa Rosa man found dead in his bunk at the county jail last fall succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest. Prosecutors said there was no evidence of negligence related to the Sept. 18 death of Jon Gerald Moore. “After reviewing all of the evidence in this case, it is apparent that this was a tragic death due to natural causes and did not involve criminal negligence on the part of any individual,” Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez said in a written statement. “Therefore, no criminal charges are warranted. The District Attorney's Office routinely reviews in-custody deaths under a countywide protocol aimed at ensuring objective investigation of cases in which someone dies while in the hands of law enforcement authorities.
Action at Humboldt DA's Office: Rotten System Reveals Itself (Again)
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 04/11/2010 - 2:59pmWHY WE PROTESTED AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
On Thursday, April 8, 2010, fifteen to twenty community members gathered in the reception area of the District Attorney's office, fourth floor of the courthouse, to address Paul Gallegos regarding a recent incident and the systematic injustice related to that and many other instances. As you may remember, on March 15th of this year, two people from Redwood Curtain CopWatch were arrested because Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Marsh did not want to be videotaped while he was detaining and searching a man in Eureka.
On April 6, 2010, the two of us who were arrested learned that the DA had not (yet) charged us with any crime related to our arrests. After we were arrested and in jail, we signed Agreements to Appear in court on April 6th. When signing an Agreement to Appear, the document informs the signer that if s/he does not appear on that date, s/he can be arrested again.
On April 6, we were not on the court schedule, which means the DA had not yet decided what charges or if he would charge us at all.
Protest at the Humboldt DA's Office, April 8, 2010
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 04/08/2010 - 12:00amWHY WE ARE HERE TODAY!!
NO CHARGES AGAINST COPWATCHERS AFTER BUNK ARRESTS
“In the interest of justice,” the Humboldt County District Attorney, Paul Gallegos, needs to decline from charging Kimberly Starr and Ray Thompson, of Redwood Curtain CopWatch, with any crimes stemming from their March 15, 2010 arrest. We insist that the DA's office today officially put this case to an end. The arrests of Ms. Starr and Mr. Thompson, while they were engaged in copwatch activities (observing and recording police activity), were warrantless, unjustified, and clear violations of their civil liberties. Now , almost a month later, the DA's office continues to say that the case is “pending.”
Open Letter to Humboldt District Attorney Gallegos: Return Our CopWatch Cameras!
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 04/05/2010 - 9:05pmSent via email and personal delivery
April 5, 2010
Open Letter to Paul Gallegos,
On Monday, March 15, 2010, Mr. Ray Thompson and I were arrested while on CopWatch patrol. CopWatch patrol means that a small group of us were out with video cameras, papers and pens, handouts with CopWatch and Know-Your-Rights information, and watchful eyes and ears- to observe the police as they interact with other members of the public. Both Mr. Thompson and I are experienced observers and also well-versed in constitutional rights. As you know, observing and filming police activity in public is constitutionally protected activity. Although we encourage all people to stop, observe, and if possible film police anytime they see them interacting with the public, when we are 'on patrol,' those of us representing Redwood Curtain CopWatch wear visible patches that read “CopWatch.” Redwood Curtain CopWatch does not interfere with officers; we simply observe and document. Our reputation confirms that.
Pam Africa says: "The time is now for organizing... with all of the strength that you have" for MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
Pam Africa on the Supreme Court ruling against Mumia
On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal and granted the Philadelphia DA's petition for a writ of certiorari. Basically, the Supreme Court went against the lower federal circuit court's 2001 and 2008 rulings, which granted a new sentencing phase jury trial if the death penalty was to be reinstated in Jamal's case. Now the case goes back down to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, who will decide whether they will re-impose the death penalty without the jury trial.
