Attention fellow J28 arrestees:
OPD has been sending people letters telling them that they may be a
witness to criminal activity and asking them to come in. It appears that
these letters are being sent to people who were arrested on January 28th
but there may be more we aren’t aware of.
It is our understanding that these letters are NOT legally binding
summons. As always, we strongly urge you to exercise your right to remain
silent, and to NOT speak with the police. This includes Internal Affairs
(IA). Anything you say to IA will go directly to the police who will be
indicting you or your comrades. Do not be fooled! If you believe you have
information about police misconduct, take it to the NLG. No one except
movement lawyers should be discussing _anything_ with any police agent.
If you receive one of these letters, please call the National Lawyers
Guild at 415-285-1011 (leave a message) and contact anti-repression at
antirepression@occupyoakland.org.
— via OO Anti-Repression Committee
If today is about honoring all Americans who have died in war, let us think about how to honor them by respecting all life.
And if we are to honor any war, let us take a moment for those who risk their lives and put their bodies on the line to speak out, to take to the streets, and to fight for a better America - a better world - where all have the rights and freedoms we deserve.
As my dear friend Kat reminded me this morning, those who take these risks to protest such corrupt systems “are true defenders of liberty and justice, for all.”
A note on this photo: U.S. war veterans raise their hands in solidarity after throwing their medals towards the site of the NATO Summit in Chicago May 20, 2012. Nearly 50 veterans threw service medals into the street near the summit site in protest. Adrees Latif/Reuters For those who weren’t able to make it out to Chicago for the NATO protests, here’s some context from Iraq Veteran Gregory Miller: http://bit.ly/KyDnKx (via Iraq Veterans Against the War)
- May 28
- , 2012
(to the tune of Notorious B.I.G.)
Piggy, Piggy, Piggy, can’t you see?
More will appear each time you snatch me
And I just hate your flashy ways
It’s clear the system’s broke, and you’re so paid
p.s. This is still a work in progress. The inspiration came during a discussion with friends about preparing for People’s Summit / NATO protest and protest chants, banner slogans, etc. I consider this song/chant a living document, so if you have suggestions, please share!
So, my trip has been confirmed. I’m hopping on a bus in a little over a week and headed to Chicago to join in a People’s Summit and NATO protest!!!
Couldn’t have afforded the trip otherwise, but managed to score a free round-trip bus ride! I was kind of floored when a friend and fellow Oakland activist reached out to me with this opportunity. To make this opportunity even more amazing, one of its organizers is a guy who was one of the main student organizers at Tienanmen Square. Reading about him has been rather inspiring, to say the least!
May Day, May Day, May Day! A sneak peak of another one of JP’s beautiful, revolutionary masterpieces!
Oh the beauty and the struggle! Yes, the Revolution Will Be Creative!!!
OO BBQ: Park is packed! Jabari on the mic, speaking the truth— #NoJusticeNoPeace!
- April 7
- , 2012
“The Prison Industrial Complex”
by: Momo The Rebel
March 15, 2012; Santa Rita Jail
Another loved one is FREEEEEEEE! WE LOVE YOU, MOMO!!!
via @Hyphy_Republic: Older white woman at City Council Meeting today: “I want a city that’s safe for little old, white ladies and black, young men too…That’s why I’ll be attending the FTP march this Saturday”
She says she’s ready to join the FTP marches because she can identify with young black men who fear police. Bravo, little old white lady, Bravo.
via @Hyphy_Republic
So wonderful seeing your smile today, Kali! I might not be able to visit anymore, but today, there were no glass or walls between us…and for a moment we breathed the same air…
It is always a blessing and an honor to share space with you, but even as they try to divide us, I carry your love and inspiration with me always. That they can never take away.
Stay strong—we love you!!! SEE YOU AGAIN APRIL 4TH!
- March 7
- , 2012
Thanks for all the messages of love and support. I am well. Was released yesterday morning from Glen Dyer. (Yes, for those that haven’t heard…As a peaceful protester, I was arrested, yet again.) Concerned for all who still remain in custody. Please keep all of our other political prisoners in your thoughts.
Oh and…I am not really in a head space to be on the phone much right now but know that I appreciate all the calls and will gradually be getting back to folks. Much love to you all.
- January 30
- , 2012
URGENT: If you’re an Occupy Oakland-er who’s been arrested but charges weren’t previously filed, CALL DA TODAY & see if charges are now being filed: 510-268-7500.
If charges have been filed, check whether or not they’ve put a warrant out for your arrest.
We’re working with NLG now to determine how to address this. In the mean time, I don’t want anyone else finding out their charges have been (re)filed as they’re being taken into custody.
Let us not fear going to jail. If the officials threaten to arrest us for standing up for our rights, we must answer by saying that we are willing and prepared to fill up the jails of the South.
MLK, advocating non-violent confrontation with segregation laws for the first time…
Quick update: The following is just an update regarding the change in my/our charges. Additional update and explanation to follow regarding recent OPD raid and arrests at Frank Ogawa - Oscar Grant Plaza.
Initial, Baseless Charges
Many of us, myself included, were originally charged with a misdemeanor (148) resisting/obstructing a peace officer. This was/is ironic as the officers who arrested me gave me no verbal warning before grabbing my hair and throwing me down. Furthermore, they immediately thanked me for complying and not resisting.
Where Exactly Are These Peace Officers We Keep Hearing About?
Though I inquired as to why I was being taken into custody, multiple officers ignored/refused to answer. Eventually I was informed of my initial charge, long after they had thrown us into the back of the paddy-wagon and driven off from the Plaza. Fast-forwarding through all the lies, physical and psychological abuse dealt to us at the hands of OPD and Santa Rita…we found out at our arraignment that our charges had been changed.
Who Knew That OPD Considers the Public Talking and Singing With The Public To Be Malicious?
Now, they are charging me with “obstruction of a thoroughfare, a violation of section 647(c) of the penal code of California:
“…That said defendant(s) did willfully and maliciously obstruct the free movement of the City of Oakland, a person on a street, sidewalk, and other public place and on and in a place open to the public.”
This Little Light of Mine, I’m ‘Gonna Let It Shine
I’m not sure at what point I am no longer considered a member of the public who has a right to be in the Plaza or on the sidewalks of our beloved city, talking to other members of the public… but I do know that singing a hymn is not malicious. Hugging, saying hello to and listening to other members of the public is not malicious. These are the things I was doing in the minutes leading up to and including the arrival of 20+ cars full of riot clad police.
If anything, the arms that grabbed my hair and threw me down…the hands that pulled the zip ties on so tight that the circulation in my left hand was nearly cut off…that bruised my hands and caused my fingers to swell so much that they couldn’t remove my rings upon my arrival at Santa Rita…and the force used which strained my shoulder…the deputy that actively said he didn’t care that my blood sugar was dropping dangerously low because they had refused to feed us as we waited all day Friday in a holding cell for what was scheduled as 9am arraignment…the deputy who said as we were being released that if we went to Occupy Oakland, he’d be there with his shotgun ready to shoot…the system that had actively denied Marcel “Khali” Johnson his psych meds and jeopardized his physical and mental health…these are acts that I would classify as malicious. Sadly, these malicious acts are but the tip of the iceberg…
…
naomi.masako.reagan
twitter: @naedesu
Free Khali and all of our Political Prisoners!
