Redwood Curtain CopWatch, based in the north coast of California, is part of a larger movement of self organized CopWatch groups throughout the US. Our local efforts seek to intervene in the drastic rise of the presence, militarization, and violence of the police, and build support networks based on self-determination, caring, and concrete needs.
unarmed
September 13, Update on Civil Trial About Fatal Police Beating of Martin Cotton
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 2:12pmMEDIA UPDATE & CLARIFICATION*: September 13, 2011
Jury Seated and First Testimony Heard in Civil Trial About Fatal Police Beating of Martin Cotton
Oakland, CA: On the morning of September 12, 2011 in U.S. District Court, Northern District in Oakland, CA, a seven person jury was sworn in to hear the civil trial brought by the family of Martin Frederick Cotton II, who was killed by a fatal police beating in Eureka, California four years ago. Supporters and members of Redwood Curtain CopWatch and the Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality rallied outside the courthouse early in the morning, spreading the word about the trial about to occur, speaking out against state brutality, and holding signs "Cops Beat Martin To Death. Justice For Martin Cotton!"
Black Teen Shot in Back By San Fran Police, Left to Die On Sidewalk July 16, 2011
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 9:06am[VIDEO may contain content that is inappropriate for some to watch]
When police stopped a teenager stepping off the T-train to show his transfer as proof he’d paid his fare – $2 at most – he ran from them. They shot him as many as 10 times in the back and neck, according to witnesses. For many long minutes, as a crowd watched in horror, the boy, who had fallen to the sidewalk a block away, lay in a quickly growing pool of blood writhing in pain and trying to lift himself up as the cops trained their guns on him and threatened bystanders.
READ: http://sfbayview.com/2011/why-should-you-die-for-a-transfer/
Seeking HELP Regarding a Short Informational Tour before Martin Cotton Trial
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 11/24/2010 - 11:11amThe civil trial in Oakland: Siehna Cotton et al. v. Eureka Police Dept. and Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept. has been POSTPONED. Please keep your eyes and ears out for the new date, some time after February!
A couple of us from Redwood Curtain CopWatch want to travel to the Bay Area (and points between and around here and there) to talk to groups of people about what happened to Martin Cotton, to invite people to the trial, and to help connect the conversations and struggles that our communities are engaged in regarding police brutality. [See below for links about events planned so far] We are looking for ideas, suggestions, and help in our organizing to make presentations and participate in gatherings and conversations regarding state violence, in these days leading up to the trial. Beginning on December 13th and probably running for two or three weeks, we want to have a full schedule in the Bay Area and thereabouts. Can you help? Perhaps, for instance, you could book us to make a presentation where you live, publicize our visit and the upcoming trial, and/or inform us of events and discussions already planned in your area.
Former Alabama State Trooper Gets 6 Months for Slaying Young Black Civil Rights Worker, Jimmie Lee Jackson, in 1965
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 7:40amA former Alabama state trooper has pleaded guilty to killing a black protester at a civil rights march 45 years ago. Seventy-seven-year old James Bonard Fowler pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter two weeks before he was set to go on trial for the 1965 death of Jimmie Lee Jackson. Jackson’s slaying set off a protest march in nearby Selma that became known as "Bloody Sunday" when Alabama police attacked demonstrators crossing a bridge. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at Jackson’s funeral. Fowler has [only] been sentenced to six months in prison.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/11/16/headlines#11
Johnnes Mehserle, Cop Seen On Video by Thousands Murdering Oscar Grant, Gets Slap on the Wrist in Court
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:16pmJohannes Mehserle sentenced to two years with double credit for time served
Nov 5, 2010 by Davey D
UNARMED Man Killed by Cops with Taser, yesterday in Crescent City
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 2:25pmDel Norte man dies in Taser incident
The Times-Standard June 23, 2010 1:15:10 AM PDT
A Del Norte County man who assaulted two sheriff's deputies [we can always count on the Times Standard to be the immediately decided judge and jury for an execution by cop] Tuesday morning died after he was shot with a Taser and began having trouble breathing, the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office reported.
Santa Rosa Cops Shoot and Kill Man After Car Chase (and crash)
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 2:28pmRedwood Curtain CopWatch Note: Albert Leday Sr. is the 21st person killed by cops (officially admitted) in Santa Rosa since 1999.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100603/ARTICLES/100609824
Albert Mike Leday, Jr. left, is pictured here holding his grandchild while
standing next to his son, Justin Leday, holding his son, another grandchild.
Albert Leday was shot and killed after fleeing from sheriff's deputies.
Son says his father 'made mistakes' but was a good man
