Feature Archives

This weekend in Sacramento protestors gathered to support Cindy Sheehan, who's son was killed in Iraq, and has recentally camped out in front of Bush's Texas vaction home. According to a recent Washington Post article, "Sheehan's protest has created a delicate situation for the White House, which has resisted being drawn into a public battle with a woman who lost a son in Iraq." This demonstration in Sacramento is one like those all across the country, and is calling for the President to meet with Cindy, and answer her questions in relation to the Iraq war. Pictures here.

A march and rally was held in Madera California (about 20 miles North of Fresno) demanding justice in the murder of Everardo "Lalo" Torres. Torres was killed while handcuffed in the back of a police car. Madera police officer Marcy Noriega shot him through the heart at point blank range. On the night of October 27, 2002, Everardo Torres was arrested, handcuffed, and put into the back of a Madera police car. A short time later, police officer Marcy Noriega came over to the car that Torres was in, pulled her service revolver and shot him to death. Noriega says it was all a big mistake, she thought she was using her Taser gun. Torres’s family and others claim otherwise, and say that Everardo was murdered by the police, and they want justice. Everardo’s parents led the march to the Madera police station. As the march participants arrived in front of the police station, which is next to City Hall, both buildings were locked down and barricades were put up to prevent cars from driving into the parking lot. When asked about the lockdown, during normal business hours, a spokesperson said "no comment." Reportback from Rally

Justice for Lalo Yahoo Group Site | Madera Online's Exclusive Coverage of Lalo's Case | Fresno Bee Article

Community activists in Fresno who are concerned about air pollution, getting an independent police auditor that will hold local police accountable, making medical marijuana available for those who need it, paying a living wage to city workers, and seeing the homeless treated with dignity and respect are starting to pay attention to the 2006 Fresno City Council elections. What role, if any, will the progressive community play in these elections? Is there a strategy for progressives to win political power and take this city back from the right-wing Republicans who currently dominate the political landscape, or will it be business as usual? Find out by reading the story HERE

In the aftermath of the Andres Raya shootings of two police officers, (which left one dead, and one in critical condition), Ceres police raided homes, harassed people that knew Raya, (friends/family), got automatic weapons and started doing patrols and stops of young latinos in baggy clothes, and generally made life a living hell for many people living in the poor latino areas of Ceres, according to a large group of people now coming forward. The complait claims filed seek $10,000 in damages, and are filled all by people in the poor areas of Ceres that were affected by the gang sweeps. The compliants deal with threats against people by police, illegal searches, illegal stops, home raids without warrants, and more. Read more here.

In light of grassroots community organizing, pressure on local police, and people making connections between the Maribel Cuevas case and larger issues of police brutality, the Fresno Police have dropped the felony assult charges against 11-year old Maribel Cuevas. A message on the Free Maribel website states, "Her attorneys report that Maribel and her family are hugely relieved that the Fresno police department's felony assault charges against Maribel were dropped on August 3, 2005. The family looks forward to recuperating for the rest of the summer before school starts up again for Maribel. The Cuevas family and their attorneys are very grateful for the international and national support that everyone has provided! Thank you all!" Read More

Update from Prison Focus Radio Show on the Maribel Case KPOO 89.5 FM in SF

Maribel Cuevas, a small 11-year old girl in Fresno who speaks mostly spanish, was being harrassed by neighborhood boys who threw water balloons and rocks at her in late April. She grew frustrated and attempted to scare the boys by acting like she was going to throw a rock at the boys, when the rock slipped. One of the boys, 9 year-old Elijah Vang, needed stitches as a result of being hit by the rock. A neighbor called 911, but before 3 police cars and a helicopter had arrived, Maribel had already ran over hysterically crying in an attempt to apologize to the boy's family. The Fresno police, who only spoke English, attempted to put Maribel in handcuffs and ended up throwing her to the ground and putting their knee in her back after she struggled in confusion and fear. She was incarcerated in juvenile hall for five days, after cops told an eyewitness and Maribel that she would be out of jail in 2 hours; and was made to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet for a month.

Elijah Vang and his family have reportedly moved out of the neighborhood. The boy admitted to officers that he started the fight and was quickly released from the hospital after getting his head stitched up. The boy's family stated they did not want to press charges. Regardless, 11-year-old Maribel is now being charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, and her trial will begin on August 3rd. Her lawyer has accused the police of criminalizing childhood behavior. Women's rights activists are encouraging people to write to the District Attorney, Elizabeth A. Egan, and ask her to drop the charges against Maribel. Contact info for local officials

Pictures and Reportback from Vigil | Video | Free Maribel Website | PDF of Informational Flyer for Vigil and Court Date
original story posted on Indybay's Womyn's News Page

Recentally, the Davis City Council discussed a moratorium and a permanent ban on medical marijuana "dispensaries". Assistant Police Chief Steven Pierce, who gave a report to the council, and stated that California's medical marijuana laws are unaffected by the Supreme Court decision in Raich v. Gonzales. However, Assistant Police Chief Pierce also told the council that "Raichcan support our decision to prohibit such centers, if we chose, since allowing them would require 'permitting' such a venture which, the U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled, violates federal law." Pierce's report goes on to state "Allowing medical marijuana dispensaries, even regulating them as is permitted under current California law, might lead individuals to believe that they are safe from prosecution." Read full report here