Feature Archives

7/14/04: Political prisoner Sherman Austin, who made headlines last year after being targetted as one of the first casualties of the infamous USA PATRIOT Act, was released from prison and left Arizona Monday morning to return to Los Angeles, California. The nightmare doesn't end there for Sherman, though. He will be remanded to the custody of a halfway house where he will serve the remainder of his sentence until August 2004. Starting now and continuing through the next three years, Sherman will be serving an additional sentence of federal probation, under which he will not be allowed to use a cell phone, computer or other digital device unless designated by the government. In addition, Sherman has been forbidden any contact with "anarchist groups," who the federal government maintains "advocate violence as a means of disrupting order and achieving social, economic and political change."
KILL RADIO in LA aired an interview with Sherman upon his release

Free Sherman Site | LA IMC Coverage | Raise the Fist | Democracy Now!

Lynne Stewart, a progressive attorney in New York and New Jersey, was arrested on April 9th, 2002, and accused of "materially aiding a terrorist organization." Stewart had issued a press release for her client Sheik Omar, who was imprisoned in Minnesota and was only allowed to communicate with his lawyers and his wife in Egypt, once monthly. The alleged offense was committed in April of 2000. The Patriot Act, which outlawed her action, was signed into law on October 26, 2001. On the day of Stewart's arrest, Attorney General John Ashcroft flew to New York to announce her capture. After that press release, every communication Lynne Stewart had with her client was recorded, in violation of the 6th Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects communication between attorney and clients.

Lynne Stewart's Defense: Lynne Stewart is being defended by Michael Tygar. She is being tried in the same courtroom where Ethel and Julius and Rosenberg were tried and convicted. Past clients of Lynne Stewart's have ranged from a man who was acquitted of murder of several police officers (based on self-defense) to a member of the Weather Underground. Lynne Stewart's defense team is encouraging people to go to the courtroom to watch the trial and show support for her. A Bay Area Justice for Lynne Stewart organizing meeting was held on July 10th.

The Lynne Stewart Trial Blog | Indybay Audio Interviews: 1 | 2 | Interview with Lynne Stewart by Mumia Abu-Jamal | Revolutionary Worker Article

On April 20 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the US courts have jurisdiction over the so called “enemy combatants” held in the Guantanamo bay detention center in Cuba, and the President’s alleged right to create a “law free zone” at the center. During and after the war on Afghanistan, the US picked up nearly 700 people from 42 different countries, including children as young as 13, who have since been released back to their home countries. There have also been allegations of torture in these camps.
On April 28, the Court will hear oral arguments on the President’s asserted right to designate US citizens as “enemy combatants,” hold them at U.S. military bases, and deny them due process and the ability to challenge the lawfulness of their detention. This case is centered around US citizen Jose Padilla who was arrested in 2002 on the suspicion that he was going to set off a radio active bomb in America’s subway systems. No radioactive or bomb making material was ever found in Padilla’s possession, and he could not be proven to have a target or a plan. Padilla has been held since then as an enemy combatant, and the US government insists on its right to try him in a military tribunal.

The Blue Triangle Network, Not In Our Name, American Friends Service Committee, and other groups held a press conference and demonstration on Tuesday April 20th at noon at the Federal Building in San Francisco. Photos: 1 Video: 1 | 2
There were also demonstrations outside of the Supreme Court in Washington DC
In addition to foreigners and US citizens being held as enemy combatants on US military bases, Arab, Muslim, and South Asian immigrants and citizens alike have been harassed, detained, and deported. This audio documentary tells some of their stories.

7/28/2004: The grand jury decided today to indict California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement agent Michael Walker. The arraignment was held on August 2nd in San Jose. Report about grand jury | AP story

7/19: A Memorial Service and Demonstration were held on Saturday to demand Justice for Rudy Cardenas and Cau Bich Tran in San Jose. The family of Rudy Cardenas asks that supporters attend the Grand Jury, which began on July 19th. Update from July 19th and 20th.
Rudy Cardenas was shot and killed by State Narcotics Agent Michael Walker on Februrary 17th, 2004. He was mistaken for David Gonzales, who was a wanted parolee. Cardenas was shot in the back while pleading for his life. He was shot around 1:23pm on 4th & St. James in San Jose, CA. Rudy Cardenas then lay on the concrete bleeding while officers held back the paramedics. About a half an hour later paramedics were able to take him to the hospital. He was brought to the San Jose Medical Center with no pulse. They tried to revive him but it was too late. A mother lost her youngest son, and five children lost their father.

Cardenas's family and supporters have met with the Human Relations Commission and held a town meeting about the case. On July 10th, there was a car wash fundraiser at Realty World in San Jose. A Grand Jury investigation into murder charges in the case began on July 19th. Although the District Attorney had initially changed his mind about whether or not it would be an open or closed hearing after a good deal of public pressure, it was decided that the Grand Jury will be open to the public.
Silicon Valley De-Bug Audio | Message from Corina Cardenas | Article about an upsurge of youth activism in San Jose | Stolen Lives Project

Delfin and Angelita Cuevas arrived as tourists to the US in 1984-85 along with their three young children (all six years old and under), Donna, Dale and Dominique. Mr. and Mrs. Cuevas decided to settle in Fremont, CA to leave behind the economic and political turmoil of the Philippines, eventually buying a home there. Donna recently graduated with a Psychology degree from Cal State University, Hayward. Dale and Dominique are students of San Jose State University. In 1996, learning that immigration law would soon change, Mr. and Mrs. Cuevas filed for asylum with the hope of being referred to an immigration judge before the new law, Clinton’s Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIIRA) took effect on April 1, 1997. Because thousands of other immigrant families did the same, the Cuevas family found itself caught in the backlog and therefore subject to the new law. Their appeals were repeatedly dismissed, the final appeal being dismissed in December 2003. Delfin Cuevas was a member of SEIU Local 1000 up until April 2004, when he was forced to quit his job.

For several months, the Cuevas' Support Committee has been demanding that local congressional representatives introduce personal legislation for the Cuevas family, allowing them to legalize their status as permanent residents, and that legislators redress the nation's unjust, anti-family immigration laws and policies. Senators Feinstein and Boxer have both so far refused to act. "It's going to take a miracle (to stay)," says Dale Cuevas. Cuevas family supporters held a candlelight vigil on the evening of Wednesday, June 23rd in San Francisco, at the Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office. Previous reports on the Cuevas family: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Waking from the American Dream

6/11/2004:The remaining anti-G8 protesters arrested during Tuesday's SF Reclaim the Streets action have been released after two days of jail solidarity, in which they collectively refused to give their names to the authorities. The release deal required the Jane and John Does to provide their names and dates of birth in exchange for all charges being dropped. Upon their release, some of the released prisoners have accused the SF Sheriff's Department of using intimidation, deception, psychological torture, physical violence and pain compliance in the jail -- practices which are apparently routine in jails, prisons and youth facilities throughout California. Report from Inside 850 Bryant Street According to the report, guards opened the window to the women's cell, allowing inmates and guards to watch the women use the bathroom. They denied the arrestees blankets and would not allow them to speak to medical personnel. They pulled hair and twisted arms, legs, fingers and necks to the breaking point, picked male arrestees up by their jaws and sat on male arrestees' chests until they cut off their air supply and forced them unconscious. During the 48-hour detention, supporters gathered outside the jail for music and a guerrilla video screening, and spoke before the police commission.
5:50pm: According to RTC Legal Support, one additional arrestee who had been hospitalized was arraigned today and was scheduled to be released this afternoon.
One arrestee thanks supporters.

9/7 at 10am in Sacramento: CDC Public Comment Hearing About Extending Review Times for "The Hole"
9/7 at 4:30pm in San Francisco: Justice for Cammerin Boyd Press Conference Before Police Commission Mtg