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.
Humboldt County Sheriff's Department
Response to Outrageous Gov't Premise for Police Action Against Occupy Eureka
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 01/07/2012 - 2:24pmJan 7, 2011
Open Letter to Humboldt County District Attorney, Paul Gallegos:
We have reviewed your November 2, 2011 email to the Humboldt County Sheriff, County Counsel, and the County Administrative Officer in which you direct that the tents of Occupy Eureka be removed from the front of the Humboldt County Courthouse. The “go get 'em” email, obtained through a California Public Records Request, instigated, with no legal basis, the November 7 militarized raid, arrests, and civil rights violations by the Eureka Police Department [EPD] and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department (and presumably the subsequent raids, arrests, and civil rights violations) and creates a conflict as you attempt to prosecute people arrested in those raids and related police actions. Most egregious, however, is that your email to the County is a malicious work of “shock and awe” deceit that should be retracted immediately. You wrote of Occupy Eureka protesters as if they might be terrorists with “explosives” in their tents. Redwood Curtain CopWatch is outraged and disgusted at your dangerous, wholly unfounded, and secret implications regarding non-violent Occupy Eureka protesters. Undoubtedly, thousands of people who will learn of your disingenuous and inflammatory Nov 2 email and the subsequent similar emails will also be appalled and offended by your actions.
Stop the Attack on Civil Rights at Occupy Eureka
Submitted by copwatch on Tue, 12/20/2011 - 11:02amPlease phone and email the numbers & addresses below!
*Demand Return of All
Property including Signs,
Literature,Banners.*
*Insist the Police Respect
Our Right to Protest,
Stop Abusing Us & Stop
Bunk X-Mas Arrest at Occupy Eureka
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 12/25/2011 - 12:00amAnne Rian, a stalwart Occupier, was arrested this morning at Occupy Eureka, supposedly for a warrant. Missing a court date would be the only reason for a warrant. However, the District Attorney's office told us that Annie did not have court until January 5th.
Eureka Police Officer Cress, who has stolen many of our signs in the past and used to show up daily at the Occupy, made the arrest today, December 25th.
The jail told Anne that she is going to be in solitary, even though solitary or "maximum" is supposed to be for people who have problems with other people in the jail- it is not for people to be put in simply because they were arrested during political activity. The jail guards (Sheriff's Dept) have told her that she will be in there for up to five days (lies, intimidation) and has told her several different charges/reasons she was arrested on a warrant- so that is not clear.
Sat 12/17: Occupy Eureka Celebrates OWS 3 Month Birthday with New Free Speech Kiosk
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 1:18pm
Occupy Eureka invites you to the Humboldt County Courthouse to attend our unveiling of our new information kiosk as we call out for justice and equality for the 99% through the exercise of our first amendment rights. This event is part of a movement-wide call to "re-occupy" in the wake of coordinated attacks and subsequent evictions of occupations across the nation and around the world.
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
Humboldt District Attorney and Jail Have Regular Practice of Violating Rights
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 06/18/2011 - 11:30pmMay 20, 2011 Sent Via Email
RE: Mr. Brandon Dyer
To District Attorney of Humboldt County, Paul Gallegos:
This email is a follow-up the message I left on Ms. Shoshani's voice mail at
or about 2:50pm today, May 20, 2011. I am contacting you to, once again,
inform you of the laws that require you to file charges against someone
in the custody of the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF)
within the statutory time; otherwise or that person's extended custody
due to your failure to bring them in front of a magistrate or judge and
the HCCF's failure to release them, is a misdemeanor and violation of
the person's civil liberties.
Mr. Brandon Dyer was arrested on the night of Wednesday, May 18,
2011. He needs to be brought to court TODAY, Friday May 20, 2011, or be
released from the HCCF. The CA Penal code section 825 (a)(2)
specifically mandates:
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.
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.
Thursday and Friday (10/28, 10/29)! Civil Rights Rallies in Garberville
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 10/27/2010 - 10:40pmFor Immediate Release: contact Paul 707.923.4488 Oct 27, 2010
Emerald Region Poor People's Campaign
STAND UP GET UP
Once again, the rain is a sign for police action against the poor. Wed, Oct 27, camps have been raided here in SoHum. Shamefully, deputies and chp have set up checkpoints in Redway and street sweeps in Garberville as well. Those without I.D.s showing local addresses are warned to leave the area or face arrest.
Numbers of people were arrested and others issued tickets. Reportedly the police are promising 20 or more officers for Thursday, Oct. 28.
Opposed to a police state for the poor who don't have the proper papers? Fed up with a County where the police and some hardline merchants and some hippy gentry make policy and NOT elected officials and their administrators?
SHERIFF RAIDS On People Living Outside in Southern Humboldt: tents slashed, possessions taken, people threatened
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 5:44pmSaturday, August 21, 2010:
We don't have all the info yet; A friend has gone to see if he can help people get their gear safely away.
We have reports of destruction of property by the police who are slashing tents and bagging camps in the Redway/Garberville area.
Also reports that people are being told they can't go back to their sleeping places or they will be arrested.
Hamilton seems to be the deputy in charge at the moment. McCall is the other one according to my informants.
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.
Off duty Humboldt Sheriff Deputy Joe Marsh Incident - Will this be investigated?
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 11:14pmor will the code of silence prevail? This is the cocky Sheriff Deputy who arrested two copwatchers in May- because he didn't like being watched.
Off-duty Humboldt County deputy, 10-year-old girl hospitalized after July 4 fireworks accident
Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard
Posted: 07/07/2010 01:16:02 AM PDT
A fireworks accident Sunday sent a man and a 10-year-old girl to the hospital with serious hand injuries.
The adult has been identified as Joe Marsh, a Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy. Sheriff's spokeswoman Brenda Godsey confirmed Tuesday that Marsh is employed by the department and said that he was off-duty at the time of the accident.
Open Letter to Humboldt District Attorney Gallegos: Return Our CopWatch Cameras!
Submitted by copwatch on Mon, 04/05/2010 - 8:05pmSent via email and personal delivery
April 5, 2010
Open Letter to Paul Gallegos,
On Monday, March 15, 2010, Mr. Ray Thompson and I were arrested while on CopWatch patrol. CopWatch patrol means that a small group of us were out with video cameras, papers and pens, handouts with CopWatch and Know-Your-Rights information, and watchful eyes and ears- to observe the police as they interact with other members of the public. Both Mr. Thompson and I are experienced observers and also well-versed in constitutional rights. As you know, observing and filming police activity in public is constitutionally protected activity. Although we encourage all people to stop, observe, and if possible film police anytime they see them interacting with the public, when we are 'on patrol,' those of us representing Redwood Curtain CopWatch wear visible patches that read “CopWatch.” Redwood Curtain CopWatch does not interfere with officers; we simply observe and document. Our reputation confirms that.
The Death of Martin Frederick Cotton II
THE DEATH OF MARTIN FREDERICK COTTON II
UPDATE (Spring 08) FROM REDWOOD CURTAIN COPWATCH
3) Humboldt Sheriff's Ken Swithenbank Retaliates Against Member of Public for Making Records Request
Sheriff Gary Philp
Undersheriff Mike Downey
Humboldt County Sheriffs Department
Records Supervisor
Records Section Division
826 Fourth Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Via facsimile and certified US. mail
Re: Retaliatory Intimidation in response to request to inspect records pursuant to California Public Records Act, Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 6250 et. seq.
Dear Sirs/Madams:
On June 23, 2008, my request Pursuant to California Public Records Act, Cal Gov’t Code §§ 6250 et. seq. (dated June 16, 2008) was sent via certified mail and also hand delivered to your office(s).
