Statement from NYC APOC Codefendants of Nov16 Police Attacks

Statement to the Community

On November 16, 2003 a group people of color came
together to celebrate, enjoy themselves, and raise
money for Anarchist People of Color (APOC) to recoup
travel expenses. People through out the organizing
community in NYC and beyond were present. Mostly
people of color, mostly young, mostly folks who work
tirelessly in poor and working class neighborhoods
where the work they provide are appreciated and
welcomed. We came together at Critical Resistance an
organization dedicated to eliminating reliance on the
U.S prison system to solve social problems.

We came together and danced, talked, ready poetry, and
played music. Just as the celebration reached its
height the unexpected happened and it changed
everything.

The police violently attacked our gathering with no
reason or cause, except to terrorize and brutalize.

It made everything that we work for and believe in
that much more challenging; another obstacle had been
put in the way of achieving peace and justice.

People of color, women, queer, trans, poor, and
immigrants folks know that police brutality is a
reality. Our leaders give us lots of security
justifications for it, put the blame on us, as if we
are savages or animals and they are saving us from
ourselves. We were having a peaceful party in a
private residence, and they came for us with blood in
their eyes. We were targeted because we work for the
right to affordable housing, food, healthcare, and
education? We were attacked on November 16th because
we believe access to the basic needs of life will
result in true safety and security in our community.

We were beaten, dragged, and choked because we
acknowledge the fact that the NYPD has proven to our
communities, time and time again, that they themselves
are the real threat to safety and security.

There was no justification for why police showed up at
the Critical Resistance NYC space that night in
November. It would seem the only reason they illegally
attacked us was to send a message to communities who
object to the NYPD’s constant, excessive force and
abuse of their power: shut up or
we’ll crack you ribs with our boots! There were no
noise complaints or reported disturbances that
evening, yet plain clothes police officers showed up
to a benefit party hosted byCritical Resistance and
within the course of minutes were followed by 20
police cars. The police that came to 968 Atlantic
indiscriminately sprayed chemical agents and beat
members of our community. People suffered various
injuries and experienced trauma that they continue to
recover from months later. Eight people were arrested
on charges including attempted assault, inciting a
riot, obstruction of governmental administration,
resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Six of the defendants of the November 16th attack,
Piper Anderson, Jonathan Wilson, Rickke Mananzala,
Lionel Oulette, Rafael Mutis, and David Gallardo would
like to thank you for your generous support over the
last ten months as we fight the criminal case
against us. But this is far from over yet and we still
need more support in clearing our names and insuring
that acts of repression such as this do not continue
to happen to members of our community.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Pack the Court September 20th is our next court date
and may mark the start of the criminal trial against
us. Help us send a message to the Judge and District
Attorney’s office that our community stands
together and will continue to fight.

Write letters to Brooklyn District Attorney Hynes’
Office: Charles Hynes, Kings County District Attorney,
350 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Donate money for legal defense. Make checks payable to
the Brecht Forum, Memo line: Critical Resistance, APOC
case. Send them to Critical Resistance NY, 968
Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238.

Share press contacts. Help us get local and mainstream
media attention for this case.

For more information, contact Jonathan Wilson or
Mervyn Mercado at 718-398-2825.