Four Cop Watchers Arrested in Cinco De Mayo

One person still being held in San Jose as of 10PM Saturday.

It was a total of six CopWatchers, at present one remains in custody still. And all of those arrested who had video or photographic equipment had their equipment seized, and in some cases their cell phones were seized as well.

Further updates will be posted soon

First, I'd like to clarify that Cinco de Mayo is not mexico's independence day, but rather the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, where the mexican army defended the city of Puebla from french invasion (wikipedia). Secondly, the use of video recording equipment is all too common on this holiday, as well as Mardi Gras, in the city of San Jose. I would estimate about 1 in 10 males has a camera in case some females decide to flash their breasts (which again, is all too common on this holiday). Third; this is the rowdiest time of year where SJPD makes their most arrests (56 people this year, which pales in comparison to last years more than 140 arrests) (san jose mercury). This is also the most intimidating time of year, as many people come out sporting their gang colors (usually red in this area as it is predominantly Norteno territory, but many of my neighbors are Surrenos). The fact of the matter is, the police presense is necessary. It is two days later, and there are still people parading up and down Santa Clara avenue, waving mexican flags and hanging out of their cars hollaring, as well as mobs of people loitering on street corners yelling at them and blocking intersections. I and many of my friends chose to completely avoid downtown this weekend, and I believe it was the wisest decision.

" Third; this is the rowdiest time of year where SJPD makes their most arrests (56 people this year, which pales in comparison to last years more than 140 arrests) (san jose mercury). The fact of the matter is, the police presense is necessary. It is two days later, and there are still people parading up and down Santa Clara avenue, waving mexican flags and hanging out of their cars hollaring, as well as mobs of people loitering on street corners yelling at them and blocking intersections. I and many of my friends chose to completely avoid downtown this weekend, and I believe it was the wisest decision."

Are the viscious beatings necessary? Are gang laws that basically create an unaccountable second set of laws for people of color some cops decide is a gang member necessary? How many folks get killed and the cops just walk? Do you think that latinos and others who describe police presence as a military occupation are lying about what happens to them or what?

My god, mexicans enjoying themselves in the streets you must be terrified.

Yeah, police presence is "RACIST AND STUPID." YOu have to be killing me. I can't believe someone would actually say something like that. There was nothing peaceful about CINCO. MOBS of NORTENO GANG MEMEBERS. Four stabbings and one shooting in two days. COP WATCHERS complaining, "Oh I got arrested here is the video to prove that it was wrong." (STORY/KING RDS) I saw that video there was a bunch of thugs flashing gang signs in the camera, you could hear bottles be broken as the crowd threw them at police, and the crowd was ignoring the police to break the crowd up. Not to mention that all the large NEWS stations refused to play the video provided by COP WATCH. They said it was clear the police were in the right! The reason there is so many problems is this gerneration feels that they should be able to do what ever they want. I'm sorry if your throwing bottles at police, breaking store windows, and not obeying the police when they tell you to leave. I'm sorry in my mind that deserves a whack with their sticks. Listen people grow up! Get a job and raise your children to respect the police. Your going to have negative contacts with the police if you get DRUNK, hang out your car window, and when you get pulled over say something like, "You just pulled me over cause I'm Mexican." What an ignorant comment. Let's not have accountability for your actions, let's blame everyone else, and don't forget when all else fails pull out the race card. I'm so sick and tired of hearing this crap! I know plenty of people that have never had bad encounters with SJPD. Why you might ask? Because they are not criminals. GET A JOB LOSERS.