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.
beat to death
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
Fullerton Cops Criminally Charged For Beating Homeless Man To Death
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:59amTwo police officers in southern California have been charged in the beating death of a mentally ill homeless man. Over the course of nearly 10 minutes, the victim, 37-year-old Kelly Thomas, was tackled, hit with a baton, pinned down, punched repeatedly in the ribs, kneed in the head, tasered four times, and then struck in the face with the taser itself eight times. Prosecutors say the officers continued the assault even after Thomas stopped struggling and a pool of blood formed around him. Officer Manuel Ramos has been charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter and could face life in prison. A second officer, Jay Cicinelli, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and using excessive force; he faces a maximum sentence of four years. The remaining three officers involved in the killing have not been charged.
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.
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!"
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
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
Fullerton Police Beating: Witness Interview
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 10:16amThis sounds much like what Redwood Curtain CopWatch was told by witnesses to the Eureka police beating Martin "Fred" Cotton II in August 2007.
Fullerton Cops Beating Mentally-Disabled Homeless Man TO DEATH
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:11am
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
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.
ORGANIZING & CONNECTING Around Upcoming Civil Trial in Oakland: Cotton v. Eureka Police and Humboldt Sheriff's
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 12:20pmThe federal civil trial regarding the deadly beating by police of Eureka homeless resident, Martin Cotton, was postponed (We learned mid-December) . The new date was set for September 12th.
Now there is more time to organize.
We have been getting together with groups and individuals in the Bay area to spread the word about Martin Cotton and the trial. Also, we've been connecting to strategize and talk about how our communities are struggling against police violence. And how we can strengthen our efforts. So far, while the situations we are dealing with are so intense, our encounters in the Bay area have been enriching experiences!
Martin and his daughter Siehna
Cotton Day is Monday Aug. 9, 2010 - watch VIDEO now!
This is an Invite and Call To Action!
August 9th is Cotton Day- Remembering Martin Cotton II and Protesting Police Violence
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 6:58pm
Details soon.
If you are interested in organizing for August 9th [Cotton Day] or in hanging up and handing out fliers for August 9th, please call Redwood Curtain CopWatch at (707) 633-4493.
Martin Cotton II was Beat To Death by Cops: Be Present at the Civil Trial Against the Killers: Trial Begins SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
On August 9, 2007, Martin Frederick Cotton II was brutally beat to death- and then refused medical treatment -by Eureka Police and Humboldt County Sheriff "Correctional Officers" (in the jail).
Since September of 2008, there has been a federal civil rights lawsuit brought on behalf of Siehna Cotton (Martin's baby daughter) and by his father, Marty Cotton.
