Before long three more cars and two bike cops appeared. The first question I was asked was about the "protest". I was held on the street and grilled by these officers about what "direct actions" I was planning on and whom I came to Sacto with. I then demanded I be arrested or released. The police then let me leave, but warned me that if I did anything illegal while in town I would "pay". After this, I was under heavy observation - I know this because my police report contained information on meetings I attended and even conversations I had leading up to the day of action. On Sunday June 22nd, my cluster hit the streets. The police presence was very heavy, there were scattered incidents of property relocation and DIY murals created on once ugly buildings, but no violence. After two hours of marching in the hot Sacto sun, I sat down to rest and re-hydrate. It was only for a few seconds, but long enough for my cluster to move out of sight. As soon as I did so, 26 sheriffs on bikes swung around a corner and pinned me to the ground. I did not resist, and I contend to this day that I had not committed any crimes, even in the eyes of the state. I was arrested for possession of a gas mask and taken along with four others to a special jail they had set up for the demo. I gave my name as Jane Doe, along with all my other comrades. Later in the evening, I was removed by force and taken to the main jail on new charges of felony malicious destruction of property and misdemeanors of possession of a slingshot and possession of a gas mask and graffiti. I was forced to give my prints and my legal name was discovered.

The sheriffs who guarded me while in Sacto County Jail were the same ones who arrested me and worked the demo. They verbally harassed me and attempted to intimidate me. At my first court appearance, the court dropped my charges; when I returned to my cell awaiting release, the police were there and re-arrested me on the same charges. I still question the legality of this. I spent six days in jail, and then was released on my own recognizance. I was told "they would have me back before the night was up." The remainder of my time in Sacto was spent in lock down. I could not leave the apartment of my friend because of squad cars parked outside that followed me when I went outside. I had to have an escort with me at all times.

I have had five court appearances and am still in the indictment phase of my case. The District Attorney is dragging out my case due to lack of evidence, but pressure from the Sacramento police department keeps her from dropping the charges. My private investigator has found a witness that can testify that the window was not discovered broken until Tuesday, my arrest was two days prior. I cannot be specific, but he was a state employee and has been since silenced and possibly terminated. I am holding up strong and fighting back in the face of state repression, and I need you to join with me to fight back as well. Currently, my amazingly supportive community is organizing a letter writing campaign and a fund raising campaign. We are asking members of our extended community to please write letters/emails/faxes to Sacto DA Jan Scully, demanding that my charges be dropped due to faulty evidence, and that the persecution of activists stop now. Also, I need to hire a more politically aware lawyer. I need fund for this and to spread the word of my case. I am potentially facing five years if the charges stick, and need your support.

I make this call for solidarity because I still want to be an active organizer in our community, and I fear what will happen to our movement if they continue to capture us one by one. Together, we can resist and overcome the forces of brutality that attempt to silence us.

In solidarity,
RedRed

RedRed has asked that we contact the Sacramento DA and demand that the charges be dropped:
Sacramento D.A.
901 G St
Sacramento, CA 95814
ph: 916-874-6218
fax: 916-874-5340
email: [email protected]

Note: I tried an e-mail to the above address-it bounced twice i got this the second
time: Your message

To: dawebmail+AEA-saccounty.net Subject: Lori Chavez Sent: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 21:08:18 -0700

did not reach the following recipient(s):

DA Office on Tue, 5 Aug 2003 21:08:24 -0700 The message reached the recipient's e-mail system, but delivery was refused. Attempt to resend the message. If it still fails, contact your system administrator.

3 subsequent attempts also failed. I tried modifiying the subject line, etc. No dice. Tried a coupla different services, too.