UPDATE ON CHARGES AGAINST THE BROWN BERETS BY THE WPD FOR PEACEFUL MARCH

PASS TO ALL WHO ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR STRUGGLE!

April 4, 2006
To our comrades, supporters, and friends:

On March 25, 2006 The Watsonville Brown Berets, as part of a coalition, helped organize and produce an Anti-War/ Pro-Immigrant March through the streets of Watsonville, California. The march was a huge success. Fernando Suarez Del Solar was our honored guest as we hosted his caravan for 4 miles of their 241 mile march from Tijuana to San Francisco. Fernando was astounded and amazed by the hugest and most enthusiastic reception on his whole march route.

As a result of not having a permit and over 3000 people in attendance, one of our members was charged with 8 counts in a combination of traffic infractions and criminal misdemeanors. The organization was fined $1500.00 to pay for police overtime.

THE CHARGES AGAINST OUR MEMBER HAVE BEEN DROPPED AND OUR ORGANIZATION HAS AGREED TO PAY THE $1500.00 FINE.

We could have fought the charges but chose not to. We agreed to pay the fine so we could regain our focus on the immediate and important issues facing our community and especially our youth. Many offered to donate money to help us pay a fine. We are enormously grateful to you and all those who have already helped us out.

All donations can be sent to:
Watsonville Brown Berets
161 Napa Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
(Make checks payable to the Watsonville Brown Berets)

Over 1000 students walked out of 3 Watsonville Area High Schools last week to demand equal rights for all and justice for their families and friends. The police responded aggressively as part of a collective effort between 5 police agencies including Watsonville PD, Capitola PD, Salinas PD, CA Highway Patrol and the Santa Cruz County Sherriff. The majority of the student protestors were 15 and 16 years old. They were completely unarmed. SWAT teams were in full effect…and force.

We are in full solidarity with these students whose most recent actions last Friday were completely peaceful and productive as a result of their own responsible and intelligent organizing.

Students are in the process of collecting testimonials of what happened that day. We are supporting them by sharing our experience, encouragement & camaraderie.

We will continue to help them by sharing the amazing support we have received from the local, statewide and national communities. We will help them connect with lawyers so they can do as they see fit and continue their quest for total justice. Once our fine is paid, surplus donations will go to help these students get their voices heard.

We express the utmost gratitude and appreciation to all of those who called, emailed, and supported our efforts. The concern was overwhelming and reaffirmed that the power lays with the people.

In community solidarity and spirit,

The Watsonville Brown Berets
http://www.brownberets.info
brownberets [at] msn.com

P.S. Check out our 6th Annual "Youth and Power" event...April 17, 2006. See website for details.