Feature Archives

Free Radio Santa Cruz interview with Katya Komisaruk, lawyer and author of Beat The Heat How to Handle Encounters with Law Enforcement. FRSC's Skidmark Bob and Katya talk about different types of law enforcement encounters, police contacts, how to assert your rights, minors' rights, infiltration of activist groups and grand juries. Read more

audio (mp3): Interview with Katya Komisaruk (45:28 minutes)

more information: Just Cause Law Collective || FBI Witch Hunt || EcoPrisoners.org || Green Scare on Portland IMC and WikiPedia

[ Sus Derechos Durante un Encuentro con la Policía || Rights During a Police Encounter ]

Yet another Federal Grand Jury in San Francisco targeting local activists has been convened. This time the apparent reason for the Grand Jury is to investigate the anti-G8 solidarity protest held in the Mission District of San Francisco on July 8, 2005, during which a local police officer was injured. Charges against three people in connection with the protest are pending in San Francisco Superior Court. Independent journalist and videographer Josh Wolf, a frequent poster to Indybay, has been subpoenaed to testify and to provide any notes taken and the full and unedited videotape recorded during the demonstration. The National Lawyers Guild is representing Josh Wolf and has filed a motion to quash the subpoena on several grounds including First Amendment journalistic protections and that the FBI is on an illegal "fishing expedition" aimed at aiding the separate local investigation by San Francisco police and prosecutors. On March 30th, a press conference was held on the steps of the San Francisco Federal Building before the hearing on quashing the subpoena. On April 5th, the judge in the case denied that motion. While Josh Wolf and his attornies are considering their next move, Josh urges people "to talk to your friends and neighbors about how the grand jury system (is) a vicious unconstitutional implementation of the law that is being used for political purposes."

At least two of those arrested July 8th are set to return to court on the 19th of May at 9am in Department 20 of the SF Hall of justice on 850 Bryant street. They are asking people to save the date, come to the courthouse, and show solidarity.

Press Conference Video | Report | Photos | Court Filings and Rulings: 1, 2

Josh Wolf's Grand Jury Documents · FBI Witchhunt.com Info on SF G8 Grand Jury
Indybay's 2005 G8 Coverage: San Francisco 1 | 2 · US · Scotland

If the BALCO scandal is strictly about drug use in sports, then why is Barry Bonds represented by Michael Rains -- a lawyer whose entire legal career has been spent protecting police from prosecution? While the US is being distracted by the Bonds saga, are we missing a connection between steroids and police? Independent journalist Junya looks behind the headlines and finds a simmering scandal that may explain this mysterious conjuncture of legal phenomena. Have cops gone psychotic from steroid use become even more of a danger behind their guns and badges?

In 2003, about a month after Bonds' trainer was arrested in Burlingame, the same Narcotics Task Force discovered more than 700 tablets of steroids and syringes in the truck and house of Burlingame Police Officer Robert J. Cissna. While Bonds' trainer and others received jail time, the officer received a deal of 18 months probation, with the charges dismissed and his records cleared because his defense convinced prosecutors that the steroids were for personal use. As one police psychologist reported, steroid use among star baseball players may be getting the most attention, but a bigger problem is likely the police officer down the street who is using them: "At some point in using the drug, psychotic-type symptoms come in. And they're not predictable. That makes it an even more dangerous issue."

Read More | Steroid Abuse Can Contribute to Police Brutality -- Even Murder | Cops Accused of Using Steroids to Bulk Up | Cops Using Steroids To Get An Edge
Beyond Chron: Readers Respond on Bonds | Steroids to Heaven | Professional sports, drugs and profits

The Grand Jury Resistance Project and the Prison Literature Project will hold an event to send letters to those imprisoned in the current “Green Scare.” The Prison Letter Writing Café will be Tuesday April 25th 2006 at 7:00pm in Berkeley. Paper, envelopes and stamps will be provided, as well as prisoner bios. Help on how to write letters to prisoners, including specific prison regulations, tips and suggestions will also be available.

“Mail time is often the brightest part of a prisoner's day," organizers of the event said. "Letters help show that there is a whole movement of support outside the prison walls - and that they are not alone.”

READ MORE.

Late News: Settlement reached with Watsonville authorities.

On Saturday, March 25th, Watsonville saw the largest march for peace and justice in the history of the city. Documented and undocumented workers, families and allies marched in solidarity with anti-war activists in a peaceful march though the city of Watsonville. The route had been pre-planned and sent to the police. Crowd security was provided by the Watsonville Brown Berets. People marched down the furthest right hand lane of the four lane roads and traffic was moving in both directions.

Yet, after the march, the Watsonville Police Department targeted one organizer (a Brown Beret) and wrote him a citation with 8-10 counts against him, including criminal charges. They will also be charging the Brown Berets for police overtime. This was an effort to show people that “…they can’t do whatever they want to,” in the words of the Watsonville Police.

Residents came from everywhere to use the opportunity to be heard. This has been a silent population until now. Silent because they are working 12-16 hour days in the fields, hotels, and factories so Americans can enjoy the lifestyle and economic privilege they are accustomed to. Read more

As of February 23rd, Zachary Jenson did not have any running water in his new cell (he has been moved) and was drinking from a bag of water that the guards brought to him. He had a hearing in front of Judge England on February 21st. After being denied the right to counsel for nearly three weeks, the judge finally signed off on Zachary's court appointed attorney. This delay meant that Zachary's court-appointed attorney did not get discovery, hire an investigator, or get paid. The government has been interfering in ways that seem to indicate their intent to deprive both Zachary and Eric from their constitutional right to representation by competent counsel.

Zachary currently has enough books and thanks everyone for the reading material they have sent. Because of the jail's strict 5 book limit he has requested that people no longer send books. He would like to continue receiving letters, and pictures of fairies and crows. A considerable sum of money is still needed to hire the private attorney that Zachary has requested.

After nearly six weeks of incarceration Eric McDavid is still not receiving vegan food. Nearly two weeks ago a jail nutritionist recommended that he be given two vegan protein shakes a day. In order for Eric to get these shakes it has to be approved by the doctor and the doctor has done nothing. Phone calls on his behalf are still needed. Currently Eric has all the books he needs but would still like to receive letters. He has a bail hearing scheduled for March 7th

Read more about Zachary Jenson and Eric McDavid | Indybay's 2/3 Story | Lauren Weiner Granted Bail | 1/18 story

SERV, or Students Ending Rights Violations, will host an evening of food, music, and discussion to draw attention to the plight of political prisoners in the US empire. The event will take place on February 28th, at 6:00pm in the Library Quad Tent, at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. The event will celebrate the release of Father Gerard Jean Juste from illegal incarceration in Haiti, and is a fundraiser for the legal defense of political prisoners in Haiti through the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund

A celebration with food and music will be followed by a panel discussion with former political prisoners about: their experiences, current political prisoners, why they are there, and what can be done. Speakers will include former political prisoners from Chile, the American Indian Movement, and the Black Panther Party, as well as an exiled pro-democracy activist from Haiti. Read more about the event