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.
pepper spray
2011 in Photos: From the Front Lines of the Bay
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 8:41pmOver the past few years, a skeptical optimism began to emerge among those in this country who had defined themselves in open antagonism towards capital and the state. It seemed possible that maybe, just maybe, the terrain of struggle was finally shifting and the balance of forces would slowly tip in our favor.
The Growing Militarisation of Police: Is access to military-grade weapons changing the mentality of crowd control?
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 5:44amSeptember 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!"
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
Another Murder by Cops Using "less than lethal" Taser, Morning of Nov 6th
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 9:08pmLancaster County Man Dies After Police Use Taser On Him
Watch Television News VIDEO
WARNING: Some May Find Certain Images Disturbing -- Lancaster County Taser Death Scene Slideshow
State Police Investigating Death
Robert Neill Jr., 61, died after he become unresponsive after police used a Taser on him twice and sprayed him with Mace, state police said. The incident happened at about 4 a.m. Saturday at Neill's home in the 300 block of Marietta Avenue in Mount Joy [at a senior apartment complex]. Several police departments assisted, including Mount Joy Borough police, Susquehanna Regional police and state police from Ephrata.
The Death of Martin Frederick Cotton II
THE DEATH OF MARTIN FREDERICK COTTON II
UPDATE (Spring 08) FROM REDWOOD CURTAIN COPWATCH
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.
