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.
Martin Cotton
Eureka Government Blatantly Supports KILLER Cops: Johnson, Harpham, Winkle, Laird, Whitmer
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 10/29/2011 - 10:50amSWAT kills: Beware returning officers, Mike Johnson and Rocky Harpham
On April 14, 2006, Mike Johnson and Rocky Harpham, working for the Eureka Police Department SWAT, shot Cheri Moore EIGHT times, killing her. Both officers left the area- Rocky Harpham to Texas. Soon after, former Humboldt County Risk Managment agent, Kim Kerr, left Humboldt for employment in Ione, CA. She promptly brought Johnson and Harpham there to be officers in Ione. The people of Ione were unaware of these cops' past, but learned quickly of their violent ways through experience. In Ione, Johnson became Chief and Harpham became Seargent.
Redwood Curtain CopWatch has received calls from several people regarding Johnson and Harpham's really abusive behavior in Ione. (One call over 2 years ago said "They are acting like Nazi's on our streets') And NOW THEY ARE COMING BACK HERE!!
Over $4.5 Million Awarded By Jury in Wrongful Death Case Against Eureka Police
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 8:23pmFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
Eureka Officers Viciously Beat Martin and Left Him to Die in Jail Cell
Eureka, CA: A jury delivered a resounding victory for plaintiffs in a police misconduct civil rights case by awarding the total sum of $4,575,000 against the City of Eureka and Eureka police officers Adam Laird, Justin Winkle, and Gary Whitmer for the death of Martin Cotton II. Punitive damages were assessed against the three officers. Mr. Cotton, a 26 year-old man living on the streets died of blunt force head trauma. The plaintiffs, represented by attorneys Dale K. Galipo and Vicki I. Sarmiento of Los Angeles County, were Mr. Cotton's 5 year-old daughter and his father. The jury found that Officers Laird and Winkle used excessive force, and that all three officers failed to provide medical care.
KMUD Show Discusses Richardson Grove Action Now, Martin Cotton Trial, and Redwood Curtain CopWatch
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 04/29/2011 - 9:46amMartin Cotton Civil Trial Press Conference, Sept. 21 (with VIDEO)
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 9:00pmVICTORY AGAINST POLICE TERROR IN EUREKA
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 09/24/2011 - 6:24pmMartin Cotton Family Awarded Over $4.5 Million in Trial Against Eureka Police (VIDEO included)
This link will also bring you to the video-taped interview from after the verdict. Video is also below.
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/23/18691150.php
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/23/18691150.php
Greetings,
The resounding jury decision could not have happened without the years of dedication by Redwood Curtain CopWatch; the courage, strength, and graciousness of Marty Cotton Sr.; the critical solidarity and organizing of the Oscar Grant Committee; the generosity of a few righteous Oakland attorneys; the networking and sharing of resources by Berkeley CopWatch; the bravery of the civilian witnesses to tell the truth; and the sharp, brilliant, hard work from the Cottons' attorneys, Vicki I. Sarmiento and Dale K. Galipo.
Martin Cotton Trial Radio Interviews Sept. 21, 23rd, 25th
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:09pmKPFA
94.1 KPFA.org
The Morning Mix with JR - September 21, 2011 at 8:00am
Martin Cotton Trial Interview begins at 39:23 minutes
Martin Cotton Trial Interview begins at 39:23 minutes
Sept 21: PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE CIVIL RIGHTS TRIAL, ABOUT FATAL POLICE BEATING OF MARTIN COTTON
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 1:23pmoutside Oakland Federal Courthouse
1301 Clay Street, Oakland
Press Conference after court in last days of jury trial: Siehna Cotton et al v. City of Eureka
Read Sept. 20 Press Release
CIVIL RIGHTS TRIAL ABOUT FATAL EUREKA POLICE BEATING OF MARTIN COTTON CONCLUDING THIS WEEK
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 11:54amFor Immediate Release Sept. 20, 2011
Short Update (9/14/11) from Martin Cotton Trial in Oakland: Eureka Cops Beat Him To Death
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 10:50pmClosing Arguments on Thursday, Sept 22nd!
Currently, the civil rights trial about the August 9, 2007 police murder of Martin Frederick Cotton II is in its last few days. The Eureka Police beat Martin Cotton brutally- in fact- beat him to death in broad daylight, in front of the Eureka Rescue Mission and many (other) houseless people. The civil trial, brought by Martin Cotton's father, Marty Cotton, and Martin's young daughter, Siehna Cotton.
Support for the Cottons has been wonderful from the Oscar Grant Committee, Redwood Curtain CopWatch, and Transport Workers Solidarity Committee.
On Wednesday (9/14) and Monday (9/12), two Eureka cops have been testifying, Justin Winkle and Adam Laird.. Thursday, EPD Officer Gary Whitmer.
CURRENT! Civil Rights Trial in Oakland about Fatal Police Beating of Martin Cotton II
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 12:37amTRIAL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 at 8:30am
[RALLY at 7:30am on 12th, first day of trial]
Trial Wed (9/14), Thurs (9/15), Friday (9/16), Wed (9/21), Thurs (9/22)
8:30am- 2:30pm
Must have U.S. ID or Passport to go in
READ UPDATES: 1 2 Hear Interview 9/16 4
August 9th is COTTON DAY; Remembering Martin Cotton & Resisting Police Violence
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 11:00pmMartin F. Cotton II was BEAT TO DEATH by Eureka Police and Humboldt Sheriff's on August 9th, 2007.
Please join us Tuesday August 9th, 2011 in Remembrance of Martin Cotton and in Resistance to the injustice system that took his life.
Martin Cotton won't be forgotten! Stop Police Brutality
---1:00pm RALLY in front of the Courthouse in Eureka
and Walk to the Boardwalk for peaceful REMEMBRANCE of Martin
We have plenty of signs, some from past demonstrations and a bunch from folks in the Bay area- sent in support of Justice for Martin Cotton!
Then, later on...
---6:00pm "Tell It Like It Is!” Open Mic: Survival Stories about Police Violence
at Synapsis 47 W 3rd Street, Eureka
Sept. 13 in Oakland: Oscar Grant Committee Presents Forum on Police, Racism, Brutality and Violence
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 08/29/2011 - 8:49pm
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
TIME: 7:00PM
OSCAR GRANT COMMITTEE PRESENTS
A FORUM ON POLICE, RACISM,
BRUTALITY AND VIOLENCE
Documented Police Brutality Anniversaries: Aug 7, Aug 8, Aug 9
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 2:11pmPolice State Continues to Expand.
If we don't confront it now, then WHEN?
August 7, 2010: Humboldt County Sheriff's Deputies Murder Robert Garth in Blue Lake
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/08/08/18655719.php?show_comments=1#18655924
http://www.youtube.com/user/RedwoodCopWatch#p/u
August 8, 1978: Philadelphia Police Try to Kill MOVE Men, Women, and Children at MOVE Home; Police Kill One of Their Own and Lock Up Nine MOVE Members "for Murder"; The MOVE 9, U.S. political prisoners, have been in prison since 1978
UPDATE: Trial For Police and Sheriff's Murder of Martin Cotton II Scheduled for Sept 12, 2011
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 02/27/2011 - 9:02pmPlease begin or continue to
*organize in the Bay area for the trial,
*send donations so Humboldt residents can attend the trial in Oakland,
*invite CopWatch to do a presentation regarding Martin's death,
*and fight police brutality in your region!
Contact us at (707) 633-4493 or
through email at copwatchrwc@riseup.net
Relatos Zapatistas Interviews Redwood Curtain CopWatch re Martin Cotton, Jan 2011
January 3, 2011 Interview
http://radiozapatista.org/?p=1261&lang=en
Please note that the Civil Trial, Siehna Cotton and Martin Cotton I v. Eureka Police Department and Humboldt County Sheriff's Department has been postponed beyond January 10, 2011. The new date has yet to be set by the Court.
PEOPLES' VICTORY- Jan 1st Oscar Grant Committee Action -by Frank Runninghorse Jan 2, 2011
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 01/06/2011 - 2:01am2nd Anniversary of Oscar Grants Foul Killing marked by Vigil/Rally at Fruitvale BART.
On new years day 2011, a racially diverse crowd of 150-175 people marked Oscar's murder at the hands of BART police with statements from Grant family members, reminiscences of Oscar, and pledges from family and community alike to carry on and intensify the struggle to get justice for all of the many victims of unjust police violence. The Vigil/ Rally was called by the Grant family with solidarity from the family of Derrick Jones ,another unarmed black man from the east Oakland neighborhood near Fruitvale BART who was recently shot up and killed by the OPD.
The "Oscar Grant Committee to Stop Police Brutality and State Repression" that includes Oscar's 'Uncle Bobby' and family friend Jack Bryson among its active members, played a prominent role in organizing and sponsoring the event. The event was organized in a little over two weeks time, using the OGC's and Grant family's network of contacts.
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.
Dec 21st: Bay Area Presentation/Discussion With National Lawyer's Guild About Martin Cotton Trial
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 12/14/2010 - 3:16pmplease help spread the word
Holding Police Who Kill Accountable:
Justice for Martin Cotton event
December 21st
***
Dec 16th: Bay Area Presentation/Discussion @LONG HAUL About Martin Cotton Trial
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 12/14/2010 - 3:03pm
Long Haul Info Shop
3124 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley CA
Thursday December 16
7:00pm
Martin Cotton II was living houseless and unarmed when, on August 9, 2007, in Eureka California, he was severely abused by police, then brought to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. At the jail, he was further attacked by guards and left to die on the cell floor.
On Monday, January 10, 2011 a civil trial will begin in Oakland: Siehna Cotton et al. v. Eureka Police Dept. and Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept. The federal civil rights lawsuit was brought on behalf of Martin Cotton's baby daughter, Siehna Cotton, and by Martin's father, Marty Cotton.
Join Redwood Curtain CopWatch in a discussion about what happened to Martin Cotton and how to connect community struggles against police brutality. Help strategize to sustain public pressure during the upcoming trial.
Cotton Day is Monday Aug. 9, 2010 - watch VIDEO now!
This is an Invite and Call To Action!
Those Who Ignore the Past Are Bound to REPEAT IT -from PEOPLE PROJECT blog
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 07/18/2010 - 11:59amThis is from a July 6, 2005 PLAZOID. The Plazoid was a brilliant independent, self-published pamphlet/zine that circulated in Arcata in the mid 2000's.
SOON Nazi authorities and the police began to consign members of other groups to the new camps: homosexual men arrested as criminal offenders; Jehovah's Witnesses who refused to obey demands to cease their activities; women accused of prostitution; people labeled "asocial" because they were homeless, begged, or for some other reason did not fit into Nazi society.
Stolen Lives
There are many people who have been killed by police.
Only some of the local victims of police murder are discussed below. These are the names of some people who are not (yet).
Angel Farias Hernandez Daniel Sylvester David Sequioa Eloy Infante-Toscano
Gabriel Muldenado James "Hans" Peters Jonni Honda Mariano Lopez Fernandez
Robert Garth
Click on names in large green letters to read more.
