Arraignment Set for Tuesday for Demonstrator Jailed at Capitol Anti-Minuteman Rally

For immediate release
Monday, October 31, 2005
Contact: Cres Vellucci  916.996.9170 

      
ATTN: Daybook/News Desk

Arraignment set Tuesday for demonstrator
jailed at Capitol anti-Minuteman rally;
Supporters allege police over-reacted

SACRAMENTO – One of three people arrested Saturday at an immigrant rights
demonstration protesting a rally of the vigilante "Minuteman Project" at
the State Capitol will be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court Tuesday
(1:30 p.m. Dept. 63).

Supporters and legal counsel will conduct a short news conference at 1 p.m.
Tuesday in front of the courthouse (9th Street side) to comment on the
police response to the 600 demonstrators, and the arrests.

Joshua Ramirez, 19, of Santa Cruz, has a hearing scheduled at 1:30 p.m. He
has been jailed since Saturday on two felony counts stemming from the
demonstration. His bail has been set at $30,000.

Supporters claim police attempted to provok demonstrators by making the
first arrest of Carlos Murillo, 22, Daly City (later cited for a minor
traffic offense and released), who briefly stepped off the sidewalk.
Officers threw him to the ground roughly, although Murillo has a broken
hand in a full cast.  His court date is in December.

Also arrested on two misdemeanor counts, and released early Sunday morning,
was Robert Levin, 19, of San Francisco. His court date is  November 23.

About 600 people representing anti-racist groups throughout California
arrived at the Capitol in busses and carpools  from the Bay Area and the
Central Valley to oppose a rally at the Capitol by the "Minuteman Project,"
a vigilante group harassing immigrants along the border.

The "Minuteman Project" – with the governor's support and seeking to
increase the militarization of the border – has been harassing, threatening
and arresting immigrants as they cross the U.S.-Mexico border in search of
a better life, said activists.