Monday, February 18, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Peltier v. FBI, March 11th at the US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Minneapolis
Case No. 07-1745MN
Leonard Peltier v. Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Frey Moot Courtroom
1000 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Background:
On June 8, 2007, Peltier attorneys filed with the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit an appellate brief asking the Court to
review and release some 11,000 pages of documents related to the
investigation and prosecution of Leonard Peltier. The FBI continues
to withhold those documents, claiming that their release would violate
promises of confidentiality made to informants and would, incredibly,
endanger the national security of the United States. In the brief, it
is argued that the FBI's promises to its informants expired long ago,
and were waived when those informants testified publicly. It is
asserted that the virtually unprecedented public interest in the case
of Leonard Peltier warrants careful judicial review of the withheld
documents. In addition, it is demonstrated that the FBI's historic
misconduct in this case, coupled with its continued misrepresentations
about Peltier's case, shows sufficient bad faith to require the most
searching inquiry into any claims of privilege.
The government's response was to categorically insist that there is no
degree of governmental misconduct toward a FOIA litigant that could
cause a court to "question the good faith of the agency," Cox v
Department of Justice, 576 F2d 1302, 1312 (8 Cir. 1978) unless the
litigant can prove misconduct in the FOIA proceedings themselves.
On October 9, 2007, attorneys Ron Kuby and David Pressman filed a
reply brief with the United States Courts of Appeals for the Eight
Circuit. According to the Peltier attorneys:
"The government's assertion that it can wave away its sordid history
of proven FBI and prosecutorial misconduct toward Peltier with a 'what
have we done to you lately' nonchalance rests entirely on the
government's own insistence. More significantly, the government
conflates Peltier's lengthy, documented, proven history of the most
serious governmental misconduct with some fanciful, gauzy grievance
made by some hypothetical litigant. The government again demonstrates
that it does not now, nor has it ever, taken seriously any of the
courts that have admonished it about the treatment of Leonard Peltier.
It has been proven that the FBI withheld exculpatory evidence,
manufactured inculpatory evidence that it knew to be false, coerced
witnesses and engaged in an over reaction to Wounded Knee sufficiently
grave to cause a Senior Judge of this Court to opine that the
Government shares responsibility for the firefight that led to the
death of the two FBI agents. The government has shown no solicitude
for the enormous 'burden on the judiciary' that its own malfeasance
has caused."
Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Minneapolis police: Who protects us from them?
BLACKLOGIC
February 12, 2008
Who's really protecting us?
What is a populace to do when those sworn to uphold the law exhibit criminal disregard for the law?
A federal lawsuit filed by five high-ranking veteran African American Minneapolis Police Officers has garnered some attention in the Twin Cities (http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/12081986.html), drawing attention to what the officers describe as “a hostile work environment” within the department, which has been plagued for years by cases of criminal misconduct and brutality. As details emerge from the suit (http://www.charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/Lawsuit%20by%205%20Cops.pdf) about the climate for officers of color, more information as been made available to Blacklogic.blogspot.com concerning police relations with the community at large.
Below we list samples of atrocities committed by the Minneapolis Police Department according to their own Internal Affairs records from 2003 to 2006.
Blacklogic recently obtained internal complaint forms from the MPD citing incidents, officers involved in said incidents, and the complaint allegations. Taken as a whole these forms illuminate a culture of violence, patronage, disdain and disregard for the citizens the MPD are sworn to serve and protect.
Internal Affairs Case No# 05-27 – Date of Incident, 2/6/05
Complaint allegations:
“The complainant (Demiteras Cooper) alleges that during his arrest on 2/26/05 excessive force was used. Officers used profanity and racial slurs towards the complainant. He was kneed, kicked and punched during the arrest. He was stomped on his head causing his teeth to break. The complainant alleges that he was tazed unnecessarily during the arrest. Officers did not provide the complainant with medical attention.”
The complaint was sustained, and for their actions Officers Clinton Letch and William Woodis were both given 40 hour suspensions, or were docked one-weeks work for violating the MPD professional code of conduct (MPD R/R 5-105), deadly force (MPD R/R 5-307) and use of force/injury reporting (MPD R/R 5-308).
Internal Affairs Case No# 05-53 – Date of Incident, 8/19/05
Name/Badge: Officer James Brickley # 00771
Complaint allegations:
“It is alleged that on 8/19/05, Officer James Brickley, while off-duty, was involved in a single vehicle accident involving his personal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. It is alleged that Officer Brickley had in his possession an off-duty loaded firearm when the incident occurred. Officer Brickley was place[d] (sic) under arrest for two counts of gross misdemeanor DWI and one count misemeanor for carrying a weapon while under the influence. Officer Brickley's BAC tested .25.”
The complaint was sustained with a 20 day suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 06-01 – Date of Incident, 1/5/06
Name/Badge: Officer Mark Kaspszak
Complaint Allegation:
“It is alleged that Officer Mark Kaspszak was arrested by White Bear Lake Police on 1/5/06 while operating his personal vehicle while under theinfluence of alcohol.”
Sustained with a 30 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 06-13 – Date of Incident, 3/04/06
Name/Badge: Officer Richard Muro #4899 & Officer Lonnie Hoffbeck #03063
Complaint Information:
“It is alleged that Officers responded to an assault and failed to take the appropriate action to do an adequate on-site investigation and/or attempt to identify or apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.”
Both Officers were served with 10 hour suspensions each.
Internal Affairs Case No# 06-31 – Date of Incident, 5/13/06
Name/Badge: Officer Daniel Ungurian #7362
Complaint Allegations:
“It is alleged that Officer Ungurian was operating his personal motor vehicle off-duty in Mlle Lacs County while under the influence of alcohol. Officer Ungurian was arrested by the MN State Patrol and subsequently charged with 4th degree DWI. As a result of this arrest, his driving privileges were [r]evoked.”
Sustained with a 30 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 06-51 – Date of Incident, 6/05/06
Name/Badge: Officer Steven Manhood #4323
Complaint Allegations:
“Complainant stated that an Officer responded to an inebriated man at their bar. The man was unconscious. The complainant alleged that the Officer slapped the man in the face and head trying to wake him up. The complainant asked the Officer not to hit the man so hard and to bring him out in the rain. The Officer got angry and used derrogotory language towards the complainant and a witness. The ambulance arrived and took the inebriated man to the hospital.”
Sustained with... a letter of reprimand! Oooohh.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-22 – Date of Incident, 5/21/04
Name/Badge: Officer Heidi Eisenbeis #7619, Officer William Barta #0323
Complaint Allegations:
“Complainant alleges that he had properties, i.e. Timberwolves game tickets valued at $315.00 taken from him and that he was not arrested nor issued any citations for any violatons of the law and that these tickets were subsequently used by unknown persons to attend the event.”
Sustained: Officer Barta terninated, Officer Eisenbeis not terminated.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-18 – Date of Incident 4/22/04
Name/Badge: Officer James Brickley (again) #0771
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer Brickley while off duty was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.”
Sustained with a 20 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-15 – Date of Incident 4/05/04
Name/Badge: Officer John Sullivan #7007
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer Sullivan while on duty and performing his duties as a police Officer encountered indivuduals at the above time and location and used language considered derogotory based upon race.”
Sustained with a 10 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-06 – Date of Incident 1/28/03
Name/Badge: Officer Kelly O'Rourke #5575
Complaint Information:
“Officer O'Rourke has failed to respond to Garrity Notices (Second Notices) regarding Civilian Review Authority.”
No consequence cited.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-04 – Date of Incident, 2/28/04
Name/Badge: Officer Michael Arett
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer Arett is alleged to have violated MPD R/R 5-106 On Duty Code of Conduct, “Officers shall respond without delay to calls for police service unless otherwise directed by proper authority. Emergency calls for service shall take precedence. However, all dispatched calls shall be answered as soon as possible consistent with departmental procedures.””
Sustained with a 20 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 03-28 – Date of Incident, 10/12/03
Name/Badge: Officers Jeffrey Jindra #3289, Todd Babekuhl #0246, Michael Killebrew #3716, Francisco Porras #5785, and Patrick Daly #1421.
Complaint Allegations:
“Officers were alleged to have sexually assualted a party with a plunder. During the course of the investigation other allegations of misconduct were alleged to include throwing of paintballs, throwing of food and dishes, use of inappropriate language, inappropriate use of force.”
No discipline cited.
Internal Affairs Case #03-23 – Date of Incident, 7/24/03
Name/Badge: Officer John Mills #4802
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer Mills, while on duty, is alleged to have placed a female street prostitute in his Minneapolis Police squad car and transported her to a location in the Third Precinct where he took lewd photographs of her.”
Sustained – Terminated.
Internal Affairs Case No#04-23 – Date of Incident, 3/28/02
Name/Badge: Lt. Lawrence Doyle, Officer James Brickley (again!), Officer Todd Lappegaard, Officer Lance DuPaul.
Complaint Allegations:
“It is alleged that on 3/28/02, Officer[s] improperly engaged in a police vehicle pursuit and that this pursuit was ended with the improper use of deadly force. This use of deadly force resulted in the fatal injury of a non-involved pedestrian.”
Sustained – letter or reprimand for Lt. Doyle only.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-28 – Date of Incident, varies
Name/Badge: Lt. Richard Thomas #7182
Complaint Allegations:
“Complainant alleges that Lt. Thomas engaged in an extra-marital affair with her. Complainant further alleged that at the conclusion of the affair Lt. Thomas provided false information to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office when completing a police report.”
Sustained with a 16 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs CaseNo#04-30 – Date of Incident, 6/22/04
Name/Badge: Officer Daniel Anderson
Complaint Allegations:
“It is alleged that Officer Daniel Anderson tried to elude Oklahoma City Police when they attempted to stop him for speeding. Officer Anderson was arrested in El Reno, OK., for eluding police and endangering the life of another. Officer Anderson's passenger, Jeffery Lupient, is a convicted felon. It is alleged that Officer Anderson knowingly associates with a person involved in criminal behavior.”
Sustained – 40 hour suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 04-31 – Date of Incident, 6/6/04
Name/Badge: Officer William Barta #0323
Complaint Allegations:
“On 6/6/04 Eric Henderson was arrested near 4th Street and First Avenue North by Officer Barta and susequently monies were removed from his person. These monies were not placed in inventory until four days after the arrest, nor was any receipt issued (amount was over $200), as required by policy, nor was there any mention of the monies in CAPRS reports also required by policy.”
Sustained – Terminated.
Internal Affairs Case No# 05-25 – Date of Incident, 10/2/03 – 6/2004
Name/Badge: Officer Brian Potocnik #5790
Complaint Allegations:
“It is alleged that beginning in October of 2003, Officer Potocnik engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor female whom he met while working off duty at Roosevelt High School in his capacity as a Minneapolis Police Officer. This relationship was both romantic and sexual in nature; it is alleged that Officer Potocnik engaged in sexual activity with the female both on and off-duty over a period of approximately 14 months. It is alleged that Officer Potocnik consumed alcoholic beverages with the minor female including one occasion when he socialized with the minor female and her friend at a bar whle all three consumed alchololic beverages, although both girls were under 21. It is also alleged that Officer Potocnick failed to comply with the conditions of his relieved of duty status on 7/08/05 when he failed to remain at his home during work hours. Officer Potocnik was untruthful when asked about the matter by a supervisor.”
Sustained – Terminated....but before that....
Internal Affairs Case No#05-24 – Date of Incident, 2/23/05; 4/27/05; 5/01/05
Name/Badge: see above
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer is alleged to have not attended special duty training and failed to notify a commander of his absence.”
Sustained – Two day suspension.
Internal Affairs Case No# 03-22 – Date of Incident, 8/04/03
Name/Badge: Officer Ryan Chancellor
Complaint Allegations:
“Officer Chancellor is alleged to have obtained and been in possession of child pornography on his personal computer. Officer Chancellor is also alleged to have sent electronically a picture of himself in MPD uniform in conjunction with sexually explicit chat dialogue. Officer Chancellor has refused to give a compelled statement and in any way cooperate with the Internal Affairs Investigation.”
Sustained – Terminated.
Not included in this report are findings from the Minneapolis Civilian Review Authority, which whom the MPD has a long, antagonsistic history (http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2005/10/same_old_story_mpd_ignores_civ.php).
Some Minneapolis advocates for social justice have long advocated federal receivership of the MPD instead of being subjugated to a department overtly hostile to diversity, communities of color, and to providing equal justice under the law. After being given many reprieves with the PCRC, it may be time to support the justice advocates' claims. A criminally minded police department is paradoxical to the needs of all people.
Blacklogic welcomes reader comments at blacklogic.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Losing my add-ons
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Does the USA even exist anymore?
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Newletter: Communities United Against Police Brutality
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Febuary 6, 2008
******************************
Second Chance Day on the Hill
February 13, 2008
11:00 a.m. rally
12:00 noon lobbying
State Capitol Rotunda
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., St. Paul
Transportation available: see below
Over 50 organizationsincluding CUAPBare coming together for the first ever Second Chance Day on the Hill to demand justice system reforms that will make it easier for ex-offenders to reintegrate into society. Over 1000 ex-offenders, their families and supporters of justice reform will be present to highlight the importance of second chances. We will be raising statewide and national attention to barriers facing individuals with criminal records that affect the social, civic and economic stability of families and communities. For more information on the events of the day, go to http://www.employexoffenders
There are currently 155,000 Minnesota adults under some form of correctional supervision; 142,000 on probation, 4,200 on some level of supervised release, and 9,100 in prison. And there are at least as many with a criminal record who have satisfied all the requirements of their sentence. This equates to one in every sixteen Minnesotans having the stigma of a conviction they must overcome to qualify for housing, employment and student loans, among other things. Legislatively we have created nearly 200 collateral sanctions over and above the penalties associated with a conviction. For a report on these sanctions, go to http://www.employexoffenders
These collateral sanctions limit the ability of people to reintegrate into society and to survive in the mainsteam economy and are the leading cause for recidivism. CUAPB is proud to be part of this organizing and we urge you to attend this important event.
For transportation:
There will be a bus at each of the following Minneapolis locations:
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th Street
Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Avenue
Buses will load at 10:00 am from both locations and leave at 10:15 for the Capitol
Buses will load at 1:00 PM at the Capitol and leave at 1:15 PM to return to Sabathani and the Urban League.
Please contact Elena Gaarder if you have any questions.
by Charles Hallman
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 1/30/2008
http://www.spokesman-recorder
There are currently 155,000 Minnesota adults under some form of correctional supervision 142,000 on probation, 4,200 on some level of supervised release, and 9,100 in prison. At least 95 percent of those in prison will eventually be released.
“The actual prison population is overwhelmingly male, and overwhelmingly minority,” noted Sarah Walker, director of juvenile services at 180 Degrees, a Minneapolis-based organization that runs a halfway house. Eighty percent of all male prisoners have a child, she said, adding that the number of female prisoners has been rapidly increasing in the past 10 years.
Getting a second chance often becomes an elusive goal for too many ex-offenders, who must face housing and employment barriers upon their re-entering society. Even getting a student loan can be difficult for someone wishing to pursue an education who possesses a criminal record.
These barriers are the reason for the “Second Chance Day on the Hill” scheduled for February 13 at the State Capitol in St. Paul. On this day, several organizations, many of which are heavily involved in criminal justice issues, are calling for the Minnesota Legislature and the general public to seriously begin looking at “Second Chance” legislation.
Representatives from these organizations have met weekly over the last few months to plan this event. Organizers are anticipating that at least 1,000 ex-offenders, their family members, and supporters of criminal justice system reform will attend.
“This is the first time in many years that I have seen so many diverse organizations come together for one issue,” Walker said. “I think we wouldn’t be having this conversation 10 years ago. What we have now is a window of opportunity to look at things [in] a pragmatic way.”
“The Day” organizers also want the general public to be aware of the importance of Second Chance legislation, continued Walker. “Second chances are about public safety,” she pointed out. “If you want to increase public safety, you need to facilitate successful re-entry [of ex-offenders].
“Everyone gets scared, and everyone wants to feel safe in their community. All I am saying is to give someone a second chance, you are going to make your community safer.”
Among the principles the Second Chance supporters emphasize are:
• Providing ex-offenders with fair access to housing, employment, credit, and higher education, along with restoring their voting rights;
• Making sure all criminal background checks are accurate and up-to-date;
• Providing treatment programs in correctional facilities, including improved prison mental-health intervention programs, and providing diversionary community-based programs for first offenders;
• Eliminating collateral punishment so that once offenders have served their time, they do not face unnecessary and unfair side effects once they are back in society;
• Providing rehabilitative opportunities for offenders while incarcerated, and preparing willing individuals to become productive members of their communities when they are released;
• Ensuring that punishment falls on the offender and not on the offender’s children, other family members, and communities; and
• Developing pragmatic and cost-effective approaches to public safety.
Upon their release from prison, most ex-offenders then experience a vicious cycle of circumstances, Walker explained. “If you don’t have stable housing, you have trouble finding a job because you don’t have a regular residence. However, you have trouble finding stable housing if you don’t have any income.
“I think the two most important things [facing ex-offenders] are barriers to employment and opportunities to stable housing,” said Walker.
A University of Minnesota doctoral student, Walker has been involved in criminal justice issues for a long time. “I have been interested in this all through my undergraduate years,” she noted. “Criminal justice is where all issues of disparity come in: poverty, mental health, inequality and racism. If you want to address all these issues, they all end up in prison.”
Also, Walker has a personal stake in second chance issues. “I stole something, and I ended up in big trouble,” she admitted. “I was able to not go to prison or spend any significant time in jail.”
Nonetheless, Walker now has a criminal record. “I am still not eligible for many types of employment. There were many schools who wouldn’t accept me [for graduate school] because I have a criminal record.”
The U.S. House of Representatives last November passed a Second Chance bill (H.R. 1593). Now awaiting U.S. Senate action, the bill calls for federal funding for ex-offender reentry services and job training.
Now it is Minnesota’s turn to do something as well, Walker concluded.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com, or read his blog, www.wwwchallman.blogspot.com
______________________________
Communities United Against Police Brutality
3100 16th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hotline 612-874-STOP (7867)
Meetings: Every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Walker Church, 3104 16th Avenue South
http://www.CUAPB.org
Powell’s UN Fiasco: Fresh and Festering
What a great disservice to our children -- there are actual role models they could have chosen, but a lying, stepping and fetching war monger seemed to fit their bill.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Crooks and Liars » Tomorrow is Fifth Anniversary of the “Day of Shame”
The Evolution of Evil
FROM ARTICLE:
"...Power elites have an arsenal of weapons to control and manipulate social, political and economic systems globally: corruption of public officials that make elections a sham; corporate mainstream media that turn news into propaganda; manipulation of financial markets that create fear for the public and profits for the privileged; false free trade globalization that destroys the middle class; rising economic inequality that keep the masses time-poor and financially insecure; intense marketing of pharmaceuticals that keep people passive; and addictive consumerism, entertainment and gambling that keep people distracted and pacified.
"The biggest challenge for dissidents and rebels is to avoid feel-good therapeutic activism having virtually no chance of removing evil and tyranny. Idealism without practicality tactics without lofty goals, and symbolic protests pose no threat to power elites. Anger and outrage require great strategic thinking from leaders seeking revolution, not mere change..."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Feds OK Mississippi's Katrina grant diversion - Life- msnbc.com
They are diverting funds earmarked for low income housing destroyed by Katrina to build rebuild the rich man's port.
Fucking bastards!
USA 1776-2002 RIP
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Does this show there's life on Mars? - Times Online
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Is western style democracy killing Africa --Damn right it is!
Is China right about Africa?
This week an official Chinese newspaper The People's Daily said that the current turmoil in Kenya can be blamed on a Western-style democracy that is not suited to Africa.The People's Daily newspaper went on to say that Western-style democratic theory simply isn't suited to African conditions, but rather carries with it the root of disaster. The paper also blames Africa's colonial rulers for tyrannically imposing Western democratic systems after independence.
The late Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti wanted Africans to use traditional structures for political development.
In the past, for example, there different ways of getting rid of unpopular leaders. In Nigeria, Oyo elders had the right to compel their king to stand aside. The elders were supposed to represent the interests of their people.
Do you agree with chinese newspaper that Western-style democracy is to blame for Africa's problems? Do you think Africa should look to its own history for models of leadership? What type of rule would you like to live under?
If you would like to join Africa Have Your Say to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 16 January at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published. You can also send an SMS text message to +44 77 86 20 20 08.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Kucinich asks for New Hampshire recount - Dennis Kucinich News- msnbc.com
God, I'm letting this election crap get the best of me despite the fact that the great institution of voting is forever compromised (2000, 20004).
Pregnant Marine Is Found Dead - The Lede - Breaking News - New York Times Blog
Nice work, boys.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Persian Gulf incident part of U.S. psyops: Iran's Majlis speaker
Just like the Gulf of Tonkin incident
Newsletter: Communities United Against Police Brutality --Twin Cities
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
January 7, 2008
******************************
CUAPB wishes to apologize for the lengthy delay in sending a newsletter. This editor's computer had a major meltdown and we were without reliable email access for nearly six weeks and also had to rebuild our email list. Some who have sent emails have not heard a reply due to this problem and for that we apologize. We are currently trying to recover a large volume of lost emails and will reply to people as soon as it becomes possible. In the meantime, now that we are back up and running, please feel free to resend your emails to us. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Demetrius Cooper Civil Trial
January 8 onward
9:00 a.m.
Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis
Demetrius Cooper's case is finally going to court. To remind you about the case, Demetrius was driving on I-694. Minneapolis police were chasing another vehicle and that vehicle crashed into Demetrius' car. He pulled off at the next exit and was getting out to inspect the damages when he heard Minneapolis cop William Woodis say, "get your f*cking hands in the air or I'll kill you." Woodis dragged him out of the car and kneed him in the stomach. Woodis was then joined by approximately 30 cops who slammed him to the ground--smashing his teeth--and stomped and Tased him many times. When he asked an officer on the scene "why did they do this to me?" the reply was "you were fleeing." He was taken to jail and held for 36 hours. Besides arresting him and impounding his car, one of the officers on the scene stole money from Demetrius. Later, cops found the person they were actually chasing--a woman--and they also beat her.
Demetrius is trying to get some measure of justice for his injuries and false arrest. His case against Minneapolis goes to civil trial this week and he would love to have some court support. The trial promises to be very interesting. For our newsletter readers who live in the northern suburbs, Demetrius is also suing Spring Lake Park cop Randy Brown, who Tased him repeatedly. That case starts in the Anoka County Courthouse on January 14th at 9:00 a.m.
CUAPB is very proud to have contributed to a recent report on law enforcement-related violence presented to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). This report, titled In the Shadows of the War on Terror: Persistent Police Brutality and Abuse of People of Color in the United States is a section of a large national report by grassroots organizations which disputes the US government's report to the committee. Representatives of the US government will appear before this committee in February to answer for their report and it is hoped that CERD committee members will use information provided by groups such as CUAPB to challenge these government representatives. The official US report paints a very rosy picture of race relations in this country--citing the movie Crash as an example--while completely ignoring the persistent effects of racism in all aspects of our society. The US report didn't even mention Hurricane Katrina and it's devastating and lingering effects on people of color, nor did it mention racial disparities in the criminal justice system, education and other institutions. The report we contributed to, known as a shadow report, challenges this rosy view and calls out the US for not meeting the terms of the UN treaty against racism.
We are looking for signatories for this report. Both individuals and organizations are welcome to sign on but the deadline is January 11. To read the report, go to www.cuapb.org and click on Reports and Documents. To sign on to the report, send an email to
aritchiedc@aol.com with your name, a descriptor if you wish (such as "survivor of police brutality"), or the name of your group and indicate that you are signing on to the police brutality report.
We are also hoping to have a representative in Geneva the week of February 17-23 to meet with CERD members, other human rights activists, and to witness the US representatives being grilled. This trip will be expensive! If you can help us to defray these expenses, please go to our website at www.cuapb.org and click on the Donate tab.
As part of our contribution to the UN shadow report discussed in the article above, CUAPB reviewed all 227 incidents of Taser use in Minneapolis in 2006. What we learned was pretty astounding. First, we learned that although Blacks are about 18% of the city's population, they are 63% of the people who were Tased in 2006. Blacks were 75% of those receiving 5 or more cycles of Taser, though one white person received 11 Taser cycles. Blacks were also 67% of people who received Tasers to improper areas of the body (according to MPD policy). The study also revealed that there were 16 cases (7%) in which people were Tased while handcuffed.
In reviewing the data by precinct, it is clear that some cops are much faster to use Tasers than others. The 1st precinct and 4th precinct used Tasers most often--together they made up 65% of the uses. By contrast, the 2nd precinct made up only 9% of the uses.
Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments have sold the community on Tasers as a less lethal substitute for deadly force during encounters. Yet it is clear from this data that Tasers are being used in a wide range of situations in which the use of deadly force could never be justified. The data we reviewed indicates the charges associated with each case and only three cases involved weapons charges. Quite a few incidents of Taser use (27 or 12%) involved no crime but were as a result of a "crisis." Given the dangerous and sometimes even deadly nature of Tasers, it is frightening that police are relying more heavily on these weapons in situations where other tools and techniques may well have worked better. Even as the use of Tasers skyrockets and as these weapons become even more powerful, police departments on both sides of the river are attempting to loosen the policies that control their use and to place them lower on the force continuum. The community will need to remain vigilant before we begin to experience the rates of Taser deaths that have afflicted cities in other parts of the country.
A stunning lawsuit filed in with the federal court by five Black officers reveals the depths of racism and hostile work environment within the Minneapolis Police Department leadership. To read the suit, go to our website at www.cuapb.org and click on the Reports and Documents tab. Besides the expected (though still outrageous) issues of denial of promotions, unfair discipline, denial of training opportunities and overtime assignments, this document reveals that in 1992 every Black officer on the force received a death threat signed "KKK" through interoffice police mail. If you think that's old history, though, it just lays the groundwork for everything that came after. Remember that in 2002 a number of cops sent blatantly racist emails to then city council member Natalie Johnson Lee (at the time the only Black member of the council) using city email accounts and received no discipline. Just last year, Lieutenant Robert Kroll openly referred to Black US Congressman Keith Ellison as a terrorist without receiving any discipline. The lawsuit reveals that Kroll, a crony of Chief Dolan, has a "white power" patch sewn onto his motorcycle jacket. Is it any wonder that Kroll has a long list of complaints against him by members of the community?
Dolan's tacit approval of racism and discrimination on his force should be a surprise to no one. Dolan was inspector of the 4th precinct during some of the worst police violence against Black Northside residents in years, including the Julius Powell shooting. Did anyone expect anything different, now that he runs the whole force? Just as people in the community feel the heavy hand of racism from the MPD, it seems clear that officers of color would also experience this racism in their working conditions.
Months ago, we warned the community about Dolan's "whiteification" of police leadership. With the latest round of demotions of Blacks, Dolan has run virtually every person of color out of his administration. This is absolutely a move in the wrong direction and destroys any hope of diversifying the force or improving police community relations. The five officers who are suing have taken a bold step and while two of these officers have had less than stellar relationships with the community themselves, the community nonetheless needs to support this suit as a means of exposing the racist underpinnings of this department and as a necessary step toward justice. We will continue to report on this suit as it moves closer to a court date.
CLUELESS ANTIWAR GROUP CALLS COPS ON CRITICS
From the police riot at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago to the mass arrests at the 2004 party conventions in Boston and New York, and at every convention in between, police have played a terrible role of crushing political dissent and brutalizing those who dare challenge the ruling elites. Naturally, then, with the Republican Convention poised to hit our river banks in summer 2008 and with popular opinion about the direction of this country at an all time low, many are concerned about whether there will be room to exercise our First Amendment rights at all. Actions by the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils and their respective police departments certainly give us no reassurance, especially with their secret meetings, efforts to pass new ordinances restricting protest and refusals to grant permits.
Into this vortex stepped MAP--the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers. Unfortunately, they stepped into it on the wrong side. At their annual meeting last month, they featured a keynote address by St. Paul police chief John Harrington.
For the uninitiated, Harrington is a cops' cop who instigated the use of Tasers in the St. Paul schools. He was recently caught obtaining phone records of reporter Tom Lyden and a Ramsey County Sheriff's Deputy--possibly illegally--after Lyden successfully obtained a public record Harrington tried to block him from getting. Pretty clearly, Harrington is no champion of the First Amendment. Moreover, judging from reports we get through our hotline, the modicum of control exerted on St. Paul's cops by the previous chief no longer exists, with St. Paul cops nearly as out of control as their Minneapolis counterparts.
That's why, in a carefully crafted letter, CUAPB along with the RNC Welcoming Committee, Karen Redleaf, Lydia Howell, Eric Angell and others issued a statement of concern over this choice of a keynote speaker at MAP's most important event for the year. This letter (reprinted below) and copies of a show about local police brutality were handed out to attendees of the MAP event. By all accounts, those handing out the information were respectful and polite. Which begs the question: why did MAP leadership feel compelled to call the Minneapolis police on these activists?
Doug Grow recently ran an article on the cozy relationship between some of MAP's leaders and the cops. After gushing over the applause given to Harrington's right hand man Dan Bostrom by these clueless "activists" at another event, he laid bare the cops' real motivation for wanting to get chummy: "Ultimately, he even hopes that peaceful protesters will help police weed out 'the knuckleheads' who show up in St. Paul with mayhem on their minds. He's gone so far as to suggest that maybe peaceful protestors can develop some subtle signals that will point police to those who are violating the law." < http://www.minnpost.com
Just as we warned in the letter handed out at the MAP event, police will rely on the age old tactic of pitting groups of protesters against each other to justify their violence and repression against dissenters. Apparently, MAP leadership is only too happy to make these cops' wet dreams come true. By calling cops on peaceful dissenters and failing to even consider the concerns they raised, they've shown they cannot be reliable allies to people of color, low income people and other oppressed groups. The letter we were part of asked MAP members which side they are on. Unfortunately, the answer seems all too clear.
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Dear Guests of the MAP Annual Meeting,
Some of us writing today are long time activists for social justice. We have struggled side by side with many of you to end war and oppressive violence. This is why we are so concerned about the choice of St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington as keynote speaker for this meeting. We recognize that as guests you did not choose the speaker, and we do not wish to judge you. We want only to encourage you to think about the Republican National Convention, the role the police will play and where you stand. You will be pushed to “take sides” and we want you to make an informed decision.
As protectors of state power, even the best intentioned police will be on the wrong side of the barricades at the Republican National Convention. Ask yourself why. Are the police “upholding the law” by arresting “lawbreakers”, or are they defending those guilty of mass murder and crimes against humanity and nature from being called to account by the people? Why aren’t the police meeting with the people right now to figure out how we will defend our cities from this invasion of dangerous criminals in suits?
The criminal behavior and complicity of RNC attendees will be off the police radar. Instead they will focus on “good” protesters and “bad” protesters. Even if we share all the same goals, the police put wedges between us by focusing entirely on the tactics we utilize to advance our common goals. If we accept the premise that there is such a thing as a “bad” protester, we have already lost. The myth of the so-called “bad” protester will serve as the justification for all the violence perpetrated by the police during the RNC. And make no mistake; the police will be perpetrating violence during the RNC. Believing in “bad” protesters normalizes police violence. It allows people to believe that protesters get the treatment they deserve, and this belief allows the police to use violence even more indiscriminately. Believing in “bad” protesters creates an environment in which police violence does not have to be justified. Police violence - like all state sponsored violence, including war - is presumed to be legitimate. It is disturbing that “nonviolent” activists are so ready to accept police violence.
Holding such beliefs about the “legitimate” use of violence by agents of state power is a mark of privilege. Those on the receiving end of U.S. violence around the world recognize the indiscriminate nature of that violence. As it is around the world, so it is here. But the “war at home” affects different communities differently. The wealthy and white can pretend there is no war if they choose to. That’s privilege.
Ask the poor and people of color about the police. Ask how they feel about police violence. Of course you would have to leave the talk to ask them, because you won’t find them in the audience with you. Ask yourself why. Ask yourself if inviting a police chief to speak at a major peace event reveals something about why people from poor communities and communities of color are not more involved in the anti-war movement – even though these communities are deeply impacted by war. Ask yourself who you are lining up against when you line up behind the police. Is it possible you are alienating those you would seek as allies? The barricades are up. Whose side are you on?
Associated Press
December 11, 2007
http://www.startribune.com
Veteran police reporter Tom Lyden had gone to the police department to check on the criminal history of a woman who was sitting in a car with a man who allegedly shot an undercover police officer in a roadside incident in Coon Rapids last June, the station reported.
Lyden requested a copy of a 7-year-old traffic arrest report for the woman, but was denied by St. Paul police spokesman Tom Walsh, the station said.
"I thought it was public and I thought they were stonewalling me and not giving me a public document," Lyden said in an interview with another KMSP reporter.
Lyden later got the document from a county official who agreed the report was public, the station said. Lyden reported his story without naming the woman, who was considered a witness in the police shooting.
The police department then obtained an administrative subpoena for Lyden's cell phone records to try to identify Lyden's source, the station said. Only a county prosecutor, not a judge, needs to sign such a subpoena, the report said.
"We're concerned about data privacy," St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington told the station when asked to explain. Asked what was private about a traffic arrest report, the chief said the station would have to talk to the city attorney about that.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told KMSP the phone records for one of his employees also had been subpoenaed. The station said Fletcher planned to send Harrington a letter saying police used false information to get the subpoena, and that he'll file an internal affairs complaint against the officers involved.
KMSP said its lawyers believe the subpoena violates the First Amendment and may violate state law. It said it has asked for an apology and for Lyden's records back.
"In obtaining my phone records they basically opened up my reporter's notebook," Lyden said. "They basically looked at my notes. They have looked at sources. They have looked at people I have tried to protect."
University of Minnesota media law and ethics processor Jane Kirtley said state law makes it very hard for police to force reporters to turn over their notes and sources.
"In this case you've got a journalists shield law in this state that provides great protection to the press, and yet effectively what the government has done is done an end run around the shield law by going to the telephone company rather than the journalist," Kirtley said. "Had they gone to the journalist the news organization could have contested the subpoena in court and had a full hearing. This was done in a very sneaky and in my opinion very inappropriate way."
Harrington said it was the first time he knew of that his department had used an administrative subpoena to obtain a reporter's phone records. He wouldn't say who authorized the subpoena or how long a time period the records covered.
"There's an open investigation here. I can't really speak to that," he said.
But the sheriff told the station that the police chief should be able to talk about it. Fletcher said he was told that Harrington closed the investigation himself.
Harrington denied that he was trying to discourage his officers from talking to reporters.
But Kirtley said such actions send a clear message to reporters.
"If you're going to pursue a story the government doesn't want you to pursue you're going to have to be very prepared for the real possibility that they will take any steps they can to unmask your sources," she said.
While the investigation targeted the county officials who released the arrest report, Lyden said it's a blow to his work.
"I talk to a lot of people every day," he said. "But now they can go throughout my stories and look at who did I talk to that day. They can match up every source that I have had. It is awful."
NLG Legal Observer and Videographer Training
January 22, 2008
6:00 p.m.
2402 University Ave W, Room 600, St. Paul
The National Lawyers Guild will hold a video training session in preparation for protests against the Republican National Convention. The purpose is to train videographers, i.e. people with some ability to use video cameras to record events at the RNC as part of the NLG's Legal Observer Program. Anyone interested in working on video documentation for purposes of protecting the rights of protesters can attend this event. The training will also address knowledge needed to become a legal observer, so it can be useful to those who are interested in being a legal observer or videographer, but have not decided which one. For more information, contact Jordan Kushner at 612-288-0545.
Resisting the RNC: Minnesota Town Hall Organizing Meeting
Saturday, January 26th
2:00 p.m.
Walker Community United Methodist Church
3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is coming to our backyard in Sept. 2008. Feeling angry? Want to do something? Come to Resisting the RNC: Minnesota Town Hall Organizing Meeting.
Please join us for a gathering of those who have already started organizing to resist the RNC in 2008 and those looking for a place to
start. This will be a space for people to come together, share ideas, energy and participate in the process.
*A discussion about the why the Republicans are coming, what it means for our community, and why resistance is necessary.
*A listening session where those organizing for the RNC will hear what you have to say about the upcoming protests. Come and share
your concerns and views and have your voice be heard.
*Updates and presentations of the plans groups have for the convention. After the program, please stay and mingle with each other, get
to know each other, and start to work together!
Childcare and snacks provided. Spanish language interpreter available. For more info contact Kim: kimdefranco@yahoo.com or Andy: 612-719-4292 to reserve an information table, present your "already underway" plans, and/or volunteer to help with the event.
Communities United Against Police Brutality
3100 16th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hotline 612-874-STOP (7867)
Meetings: Every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Walker Church, 3104 16th Avenue South
http://www.CUAPB.org
Monday, January 07, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Legal voters thrown off rolls - USATODAY.com
Obama victory leaves Clinton scrambling - Mike Allen and Ben Smith - Politico.com
Thursday, January 03, 2008
RIP Emmanuel Chuckwudi Eze ---
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
BBC NEWS | Africa | Ethiopia PM attacks UN on Somalia
The Congo and Darfur, Sudan notwithstanding."
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Africa and Cuba celebrate 30 years of Friendship Association
Cuba and Africa Mark 30th Anniversary of Friendship Association
Havana, Dec 17 (acn) The 30th anniversary of the creation of the
Cuba-Africa Friendship Association was commemorated last Saturday at
the venue of the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP) in Havana.
During the ceremony, the ambassador of Congo in Cuba, Pascal Onguembyi,
thanked the Cuban people and government for their permanent solidarity
with the African people in all sectors.
He stressed the Cuban contribution to the independence of countries
such as Angola, Ethiopia, Namibia, Guinea Bissau, South Africa and
Congo as well as the presence of Cuban internationalists in some of
those nations to fight against the discriminatory regime of the
Apartheid.
Onguembyi said that scientific cooperation has an important place in
this assistance. As a result, he noted, more than 5,850 people from
several African countries have received scientific and technical
training in various sectors on the island.
He added that sectors such as health, education, sports and agriculture
have also received the benefits of this cooperation.
The African diplomat recalled that Cuban doctors and other health
personnel making their contribution in Africa have performed more than
1.5 million operations and have treated more than 36 million patients
in that continent.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Giant rat found in 'lost world' - CNN.com
Racial subtext surfaces in Iowa - Politics- msnbc.com
Or don't sheep have memory?
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Zimbabwe: Massive march supports a defiant government
Remember, the UN and the rest of the west slept while whites were given African land by their colonial masters. It is well and good that they be expelled permanently from Africa. That is the issue.
