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Free Xochitl! - Arrested at demo in support of Palestine
On April 2nd, 2002, Berkeley police attacked a protest against US funded Israeli army massacres of Palestinians. Xochitl was jumped, brutalized and arrested for "assault on a police officer." She appears in court in Oakland Friday 9/13/02, facing a possible year in jail if convicted.
| FREE XOCHITL! We insist on using Free Speech to protest the tides of Israeli terror against the Palestinians On April 2nd, 2002 a peaceful protest took place in Berkeley in defense of the Palestinian people facing increasing threats from Israeli State violence. Just two days later the world became aware of the massacre at Jenin, where the city was left in rubble. Hundreds were killed, many crushed inside their houses. And recently, the U.S. Agency for International Development found that Palestinian children are suffering from "chronic malnutrition" because of a deep poverty due to the cruel actions of the occupiers. The march supporting the Palestinian people was confronted with excessive force by the Berkeley police department. One protester, Xochitl, was singled out due to her outspoken voice and relentless bravery. She was tackled and attacked by the police. Xochitl is now being brought up on the charge of misdemeanor battery for supposedly attacking a police officer, though, it was the police who made a concerted effort to grab a leading voice in order to shut down the enthusiasm and message of the march. If convicted, Xochitl could be sentenced to a year in jail, eliminating her ability to stand with the people. XOCHITL’S TRIAL IS CURRENTLY SET FOR SEPTEMBER 13TH IN BERKELEY. SHE IS ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT TO PREPARE FOR TRIAL - IF NECESSARY. EMAIL US YOUR CONTACT INFO (TO freexochitl@hotmail.com) OR CALL US AT (510) 288-9047TO STAY POSTED. Shortly after Xochitl's arrest at this demonstration, the University of California attempted to ban the group Students for Justice in Palestine. Police arrested dozens of activists at UC, and many UC students still face academic disciplinary charges for participating in on campus protest in support of the Palestinian people. We need to stand with Xochitl, the UC students, and all who are being attacked for standing with the Palestinian people. A legal team is currently devising a strategy to defend Xochitl in court. However, a determined effort to raise awareness and public support for this case is also necessary. Given the history of the police and the justice system, it is not the legal system that protects activists and organizers, but the actual support from the people. She was taken for what she meant to the movement of resistance. We cannot allow the City of Berkeley to silence her voice, nor can we accept their betrayal of our rights. In standing for Xochitl we defend our right to resist oppression. Get yourself on the Free Xochitl! E-mail list by emailing: freexochitl@yahoo.com · -Witnesses please step forward · -Come to the trial and show your support · -Make a contribution to offset the legal burden · -Help get the word out For more Information about the April 2nd demonstration in Berkeley, go to: http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/04/120352_comment.php For more information about Palestine and the Palestinian people's struggle: · http://www.justiceinpalestine.org · http://www.rwor.org/s/world.htm#palestine · http://www.palsolidarity.org/ · http://www.adcsfbay.org |
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For more information:
http://www.geocities.com/freexochitl/
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