Carlos Montes Defense is an Important Test of Free Speech for Antiwar Activists in the U.S.A.
Carlos Montes trial moved to June 20, due to new developments!
Carlos Montes is a nationally respected leader in the Chicano, immigrant rights, and antiwar movements. He was a co-founder of the Brown Berets, a Chicano working class youth organization in the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Brown Berets were inspired by and often compared to the Black Panther Party. Montes was one of the leaders of the Chicano Blowouts, a series of walkouts of East Los Angeles high schools to protest racism and inequality in Los Angeles-area high schools. He is portrayed by Fidel Gomez in the 2006 HBO movie Walkout.
He is currently facing charges on a firearms violation that he and others claim is bogus and politically motivated intended to stifle dissent.
Background
We are coming together in response to the FBI raids on seven homes and an anti-war office on Friday, September 24, 2010. The FBI also handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to fourteen activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. These activists are involved in many groups, including the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. These activists and many others came together to organize the 2008 anti-war marches during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. In December, 2010, 9 Palestine solidarity activists in Chicago were also subpoenaed.
Across the country organizations and individuals are standing together to protest the United States government’s attempt to silence and criminalize anti-war and international solidarity activists. We see the raids and subpoenas as an attack on anti-war and other progressive movements. It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to assemble with like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for more wars and occupations of other countries by the U.S. military.
We Demand:
- Stop the repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists.
- Immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, etc
- End the grand jury proceedings against anti-war activists.
1) At court on April 26, the judge ordered a trial to begin May 15 for Carlos Montes.
The legal charges are a pretext to attack Carlos for his political activism, and stem from the national FBI targeting of anti-war and international solidarity activists. Carlos Montes is a longtime Los Angeles anti-war, immigrant rights and Chicano civil rights activist.
2) Urgent need for funds for legal defense
Dear Friends:
Carlos Montes has dedicated his life to the movement for Chicano liberation and for immigrants’ rights, public education and peace. Now, he is being prosecuted on felony charges. These charges are bogus and Carlos has been and will continue to defend himself. To do that effectively he needs to be ready to go to trial and have an active political defense in Los Angeles. A trial is expected to begin in the next few months. An effective defense costs money, for legal fees and for CSFR organizers to work full time in LA. Expenses are expected to run upwards of $15,000 dollars.
Please click here to donate
Carlos Montes, a fighter for justice.
From the LA student walkouts of 1968, to the battle to stop the privatization of Garfield High School in 2009, Carlos has been there. From the first Chicano Moratorium against the war in Vietnam, to anti-war protests against NATO in Chicago in 2012, Carlos is here. From the front lines protesting police brutality in 1960’s East LA, to seeking justice for Manuel Jimenes in 2011, his life has been dedicated to serving the people. (See article “Never Stop Fighting” www.lamag.com)
Target of Political Repression
Because of his activism he is the target of political repression directed by the FBI. The LA county District Attorney claims he is a felon in violation of firearm codes. He faces four felony charges. This claim stems from a 1969 student strike for Black, Chicano and Women’s studies at East L.A. College, where police beat and arrested demonstrators. Carlos was arrested on his way home, accused of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy (with an empty soda can). The D.A. claims that this forty-two year old case was sentenced as a felony, making Montes ineligible to own his legally purchased firearms. Recent court document show that this charge was sentenced as a misdemeanor. Without a past felony, all of the charges that Montes is now facing would be dismissed.
The legal process against Carlos is being driven by the FBI. Matt Weber is an FBI Special Agent who told LA County sheriff detective Donald Lord to go after Carlos. This case is not about a 42 year old charge or owning registered firearms. This case is about political repression. Montes is one of the 24 anti-war and international solidarity activists who are being attacked by the justice department for their anti-war and international solidarity work. For more information on the larger case see www.stopfbi.net.
Carlos has dedicated his life to justice and now he needs you to dedicate your time and money to defend his lifetime of political activism. Please donate and/or host a fundraising event in order to support his legal defense.
-- Steff Yorek
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
3) Join Carlos in court the week of May 15
All Out for the Trial!
Plan on attending all or part of this important trial - it will take several days.
The trial will start Tuesday, May 15 8:00 a.m.
Criminal Courts Building, 13th floor, Department 100
210 West Temple Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
4) Sign the Petition
Carlos Montes urgently needs your solidarity! Please sign our petition hosted at the IAC site. Share it with your family, friends and co-workers. Signing the petition will generate a direct email to District Attorney Cooley, demanding he drop the charges against Carlos Montes.
Carlos Montes goes on trial Tuesday, May 15-22, 2012 because District Attorney Steve Cooley is moving forward with the FBI-initiated political prosecution against this long time veteran Chicano leader and anti-war, labor and immigrant rights activist. Along with the FBI, District Attorney Steve Cooley is attempting to imprison Carlos Montes on charges stemming from 42 years ago, when he led a Chicano student strike at East L.A. College to demand Chicano studies.
Steve Cooley is the official face of political repression, targeting Carlos Montes in an attempt to imprison him for over 5 years. The trial of Carlos Montes is designed to repress our movements for peace, justice, equality and freedom. Now is the time! The stakes are high! We can win through solidarity!
Please sign the petition today.x
Click here to Sign Petition to Drop All Charges against Carlos Montes and stop the trial NOW!
Drop the Charges Against Carlos Montes! Stop the FBI Frameup! Call Off the Trial NOW!
Tell Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley to “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes!” Your message will also be sent to President Obama, Attorney General Holder, DOJ Inspector General Fine, the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, Congressional Leaders, U.N. Secy Gen Ban, and members of the media.!
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