Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 5. Juni 2012
/ Time Line June 5, 2012
Version 3.0
4. Juni 2012, 6. Juni 2012
06/05/2012
Victory Against Repression: Carlos Montes Court Case Ends in
Victory!
Los Angeles, CA - On June 5, 2012 Carlos Montes’ criminal
court prosecution ended in a victory for Carlos and the
movement.
Carlos Montes’ home was raided on May 17, 2011, by the
combined forces of the LA County Sheriff’s Swat Team and the
FBI, by crashing his door down at 5:00 a.m., with automatic assault
rifles drawn, almost killing him.. He was charged with 6 serious
felonies with a possible jail time of up to 18 years.
With local and national support, via solidarity protests, call-in
campaigns to President Obama and U.S. Attorney General Holder,
local rallies and protests, and an offensive legal strategy , two
felonies were dropped - this was a first partial victory. However
the District Attorney still stated that they wanted Montes to do at
least 5 years in state prison for the 4 felony charges
remaining.
The local and national Committees Against FBI Repression launched a
petition drive and a “Call the D.A.” campaign, with
phone banking and a robo call by Carlos to over 4 000 supporters,
urging folks to call District Attorney Steve Cooley. The
D.A.’s office was flooded with calls and letters.
Montes’ attorney made several motions to get charges dropped
on various grounds, but the Los Angeles Superior Court judge
rejected them. Preparations were made for a trial, knowing well the
state judicial system is not ‘fair and impartial.’
Montes and his attorney Jorge Gonzalez got widespread support and
media coverage including in the Democracy Now TV show, La Opinion
and the Guardian UK newspaper.
The local D.A. on the case then sought for a resolution and
proposed to drop three additional felonies, if Carlos pled out to
one count of perjury. This proposal included no jail time, three
years of probation and community service. Under advice from
supporters, friends and his attorney Montes moved forward with this
proposal.
This is a victory for Carlos Montes and the movement against police
political repression. A trial had the danger of him being convicted
of four felonies with jail time and the additional old felony - a
total of 5 felonies. At this point Carlos is out of jail, will
continue to organize against repression, for public education,
against U.S.-led wars and for immigrant rights. He is already
planning to attend the protest at the Republican National
Convention on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida, writes Los Angeles
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
06/05/2012
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