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UID:Indybay-18452668
SEQUENCE:18471350
CREATED:20071007T233100Z
DESCRIPTION:Santa Rosa October 22nd Coalition March and Rally to Stop Police Brutality, 
 Repression, & the Criminalization of a Generation\n\nSanta Rosa 
 represents our region in this year's Historic 12th National Day of Protest 
 to Stop Police Brutality, to give collective voice to People's grave 
 concerns about law enforcement, both locally and globally.\n \nSanta Rosa, 
 CA – [October 7, 2007] – On Oct. 22nd, 2007 the People of Sonoma County 
 will march through Santa Rosa neighborhoods to protest the 9 deaths of  
 people killed in the past year by local law enforcement. All people of the 
 Bay Area are encouraged to unite at this march and rally TO STOP POLICE 
 ABUSE OF POWER. \n\nThe march begins at 4PM in Southwest Community Park 
 (Hearn & Burbank Aves; 5PM feeder march from Sebastopol Rd and West 
 Ave), followed by a 6PM rally in Old Courthouse Square (4th St and 
 Mendocino Ave). There will be an open microphone at the rally. Speakers 
 expected include surviving loved ones of victims, people who suffer from 
 past and present police abuses, and all others who wish to speak.  This 
 escalating, brutal abuse affects the whole of our diverse community, 
 uniting us all under one veil of oppression.  \n\nThis terrifying epidemic 
 of deadly force is long established: From Apr. 1, 1995 to March 10, 1998, 
 at least 15 people were killed by local police or died in-custody. From 
 Jan. 7, 2000 to Sept. 24, 2007, at least 35 people were killed by local 
 police or died in-custody. In a recent 9 week period, local police shot and 
 killed 5. Two deaths resulted from 911 calls for mental health assistance 
 by family members of people in crisis and ended in officers tragically 
 killing both 16-year old Jeremiah Chass, and Richard Desantis, father of 2. 
 Adding to the body count is: Haki Thurston unarmed & shot 27 times, 
 Luis Sanchez, shot 7 times, and Walter Heller, unarmed & Tased. In the 
 County Jail, family pleas to get desired medical care for Ryan George's 
 sickle cell anemia went ignored by the Sheriff. This 22 year-old black man 
 died, leaving behind his pregnant fiancée. In the latest trend of 
 in-custody deaths, Richard Williamson Jr. and Gregorey Townsley both died 
 despite informing jail staff that they would suffer treatable symptoms of 
 withdrawal associated with diseases of addiction. The Sheriff continues to 
 respond that policies surrounding medical issues are adequate.  Numerous 
 forums have emerged to stop this plague of abuses, drawing concern from: US 
 Commission on Civil Rights, Committee for Civil Rights, Committee for 
 Immigrant Rights, NAACP, ACLU, County of Refuge, AIM, MEChA, Copwatch, 
 Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, & NAMI. A widely 
 representative cross-section of the community calls for systemic change.  
 \n\nEvery day, people of color; Latino, African-American, Asian-Americans, 
 Native American, and especially youth, are racially profiled by police. 
 MAGNET - a militarized unit, led by the Sheriff, supposedly targets gang 
 violence. Though not required by law, the Sheriff has requested that ICE 
 (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) collaborate with MAGNET to deport 
 people not proven guilty of crimes. These deportations tear families apart. 
 Youth seeking healthy social outlet find their clubs raided and shut down 
 by Santa Rosa Police, as with Epiphany, a popular Santa Rosa night spot. 
 Ineffective DUI checkpoints sweep working class neighborhoods for minor 
 infractions, impounding cars of those who can least afford it. Local police 
 agencies benefit financially from impounds and tickets while also 
 benefiting through increased social control and decreased community 
 empowerment.    \n\nWe believe that resisting these abuses of power is both 
 necessary and possible. The community will be taking to the street on 
 October 22nd. Wear black in solidarity with those who’ve died at the 
 hands of law enforcement. Please join us in action and in speaking out to 
 Unite! Resist! Liberate! \n 
 http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/07/18452668.php
SUMMARY:Santa Rosa October 22nd March & Rally to Stop Police Brutality
LOCATION:Santa Rosa Southwest Community Park (Hearn & Burbank Aves) @ 4 pm, 
 feeder march @ 5 pm from Sebastopol Rd @ West Ave, Rally @ Old Courthouse 
 Square 6 pm
URL:http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/07/18452668.php
DTSTART:20071022T230000Z
DTEND:20071023T020000Z
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