Call Modesto DA to Have Charges Dropped Now!

SUPPORT THOSE TICKTED DURING RECLAIM THE PARKS ACTION
Stop Police Targeting of DAAA Collective Organizers

On July 23rd, the Modesto based Direct Action Anti-Authoritarians, (DAAA) Collective, held an all day occupation of Tower Park in Modesto. The event was to call attention to rising homelessness, the affects of urban sprawl, the threat of environmental racism to various working class communities, and the ongoing harassment and brutality aimed at working people by the Modesto Police Department. The event was joyful, with massive amounts of free clothing and kids items being distributed to the poor, and three large meals being served to anyone that was hungry. However, those that attended the event knew that the issues they felt strongly about would not be simply fixed by writing letters to the editor and talking to “their representatives”. At around 4pm, a group of about 40 took to the streets of Modesto to reclaim the streets of the city, and to also bring attention the various problems that face working people in this area.

The march was militant, yet peaceful, it blocked traffic, but was not antagonistic towards drivers or people on the street. But soon police swarmed around the march, with police cars, undercover cars, and motorbikes. After the march went down a empty street with no people, police rode motorbikes onto the sidewalk, and blocked off the street with cars. Police then stopped and picked out of the crowd three organizers with the DAAA Collective, Doug Gilbert, Dan V., and Terry Clancey. All three organizers have had numerous experiences with the Modesto police, and many of the officers on duty have threatened these very organizers with arrest before. The collective members have come into contact with these officers during organizing efforts, legal distribution of free literature in the downtown area, and also while monitoring police harassment and interactions with the youth in the downtown Modesto area. When asked why these people were being detained and ticketed, the officer in charge stated it was because he, “knew them”. Thus, three organizers were picked out of a group of about 40 people, and given tickets for blocking traffic.

This is not the first time that the Modesto Police have singled out various people within the group that they deem to be “leaders”, and then given tickets. The Modesto Police are unable to understand that a group like the DAAA Collective works as an autonomous collective, organizing itself through consensus and direct democracy, not a top-down system of hierarchal order. In the picking out of three well known organizers from a large group, the Modesto Police have made it clear that they will target those they think are prominent in the organization, even if it means that doing so is unequal application of the law. We are asking that all concerned people call into the Stanislaus District Attorney’s Office, and ask him to please drop the charges against the Modesto 3! Prosecute the real criminals in this city, the owners of Covanta and Tallow Plant, the corporations that are gentrifying this area and causing urban sprawl, and the police who kill and harass poor and working people!

CALL THE STANISLAUS DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE NOW AND ASK THAT ALL CHARGES BE DROPPED!

Call: (209) 525-5550