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.
Press Democrat
"The harder path is creating a more just society..." August 20, 2011 Letter by Mary Moore
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 08/20/2011 - 2:17pmLetter To the Editor: Press Democrat August 20, 2011
[Regarding Article "Santa Rosa Mayor Defends Kids Handling SWAT Weapons" Read below]
It is useless to try logic with people who have become so desensitized that they don't instinctively react with outrage at the idea of our local police using guns and tanks in an attempt to "reach the community" through its children via the "cool" factor as was just done in South Park.
Santa Rosa Cops Killed Richard DeSantis in 2007 and Civil Rights Lawsuit Moves Forward [Audio included after article]
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 02/27/2011 - 11:31pmSupreme Court: Family of man shot by police can sue
By JULIE JOHNSON THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Published: Monday, January 24, 2011
A U.S. Supreme Court judge ruled Monday that the family of a bipolar Santa Rosa man who was shot and killed by police officers during a 2007 confrontation can proceed with their lawsuit against the Santa Rosa Police Department.
Richard DeSantis
My Son's Death, by Valerie Barber Dec. 2010
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 12/24/2010 - 6:26pmIn the December 17, 2010 Santa Rosa Press Democrat there was a very predictable story titled: JUDGE: SANTA ROSA POLICE JUSTIFIED IN 2008 KILLING. Wish we had a nickel everytime some version of that headline has been printed in our local press. Below is a statement (also sent as a letter to the Editor) from Jesse’s mom Valerie Barber. I’ve worked with Val for the past two years since her son’s death and she has been very generous with her time and energy reaching out to other families in similar situations. She went through the laborious process of finding an attorney and putting in the hundreds of hours it takes to build a case—a process that the local Leday and Sullivan families are now going through. Even getting the names of the officers who commit these killings is difficult and the deck is stacked big time against any sort of justice... for families left suddenly and unnecessarily without a loved one.
Man Killed by Mendocino Deputies on Wednesday in a Marijuana Garden was MARIANO LOPEZ FERNANDEZ, 31
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 10:13pmhttp://redwoodcurtaincopwatch.net/node/536 : Another Person Growing Marijuana Shot Dead by Mendocino Sheriff’s on August 18, 2010
Although, the Mendocino Sheriff's Department and the cop-complicit media continue to write about how the man who was killed and the other non-officers in this situation brandished weapons, "returned fire", etc, NO OFFICERS WERE INJURED. Isn't that always the case? The cops talk about how violent everyone else was, how in danger they were- but the only injured and killed people end up being the result of violence from the cops.
This is the second killing by Mendocino Sheriff Deputies over marijuana in a month!!
--------------------------------------
Santa Rosa Deputy Who Murdered Albert Leday Jr. June 2nd Has Shot Two Other People in the Past
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 1:35pm"...three shootings — most officers go through their career with no shootings — it just raises a lot of concerns.”
'Deputy involved in June 2 shooting involved in two other shootings'
By JEREMY HAY THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Monday, July 5, 2010 at 5:32 p.m.
Published: Monday, July 5, 2010 at 5:32 p.m.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a man last month in Santa Rosa has been involved in three of the 11 officer-involved shootings that the sheriff's office has recorded this decade.
Sgt. Mark Fuston, who on June 1 killed Albert Mike Leday Jr., 49, after a high speed chase, was one of two deputies who fatally shot a Windsor woman in 2000 after she pointed a toy gun at them. In 2003, he shot and injured a fleeing gang member.
