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Indybay Feature
Heavily Armed Police Brutalize the Community and Target and Arrest Copwatch Monitors
It is a Mexican community tradition to non-violently celebrate Cinco de Mayo in peace and safety; and it is also a police tradition on Cinco de Mayo to brutalize and terrorize the community. On Friday evening 5/5/06, there was a public and peaceful Cinco de Mayo music and spoken word event held on the corner of Story and King which was viciously attacked by riot police. There is a decades long pattern of police brutality on Cinco de Mayo which has gone unchecked, but this year they were caught on video tape.
It is a Mexican community tradition to non-violently celebrate Cinco de Mayo in peace and safety; and it is also a police tradition on Cinco de Mayo to brutalize and terrorize the community. On Friday evening 5/5/06, there was a public and peaceful Cinco de Mayo music and spoken word event held on the corner of Story and King which was viciously attacked by riot police.
Community Volunteer video monitors were at the event, to help maintain the safety of the community and document the atrocious decade's long pattern of brutality by the San Jose Police Department against the people of the Eastside.
The San Jose Police Department, true to its own barbaric tradition and history, attacked both the community and those who had put themselves in harms way by monitoring San Jose Police behavior with video cameras throughout the duration of the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The attack was caught on multiple video tapes.
Six of these community volunteers were victimized, harassed, assaulted, beaten, arrested and their footage and property seized at this peaceful, legal gathering on private property by the San Jose Police: Brian (age 27), Victor (age 23), Jake, Carlos (age 24), Jose (age 22), and Elsie (age 38). These volunteers were participants and organizers in this peaceful, non-confrontational event attended by people and their families; men, women, and children from throughout the community, with the support of the local businesses and the permission of several of the onsite San Jose Police Department officers in attendance, prior to the acts of unprovoked intimidation, terrorism, violence and attack that were perpetrated by heavily armed, riot clad, club wielding, and fist swinging officers of the San Jose Police Department against these volunteer monitors that night.
We, the All Communities Defense Committee, on behalf of the Eastside 6, demand:
-The immediate and unconditional release of all these volunteers
-The complete dropping of all charges against them
-The immediate formation of a grand jury inquiry into the actions and patterns of terror of the San Jose Police Department and an immediate moratorium
-And that the community is allowed to safely celebrate Cinco de Mayo without being terrorized and victimized by the San Jose Police Department or anyone else
We hereby encourage and declare that:
-Our Volunteer Community Monitoring shall continue throughout the Cinco de Mayo weekend, and until such time as the San Jose Police cease and desist their brutal, racist and violent tactics of repression and intimidation against our community, and that the WHOLE COMMUNITY is encouraged to come out in numbers with video cameras of their own - as is their right - to record and document the ongoing violence, hostility, bad-attitudes and uncontrollable behavior of the San Jose Police against our community.
-Lastly that we shall be issuing shortly video evidence of this entire Cinco de Mayo encounter, as well as several other encounters from throughout the city that night.
Community Volunteer video monitors were at the event, to help maintain the safety of the community and document the atrocious decade's long pattern of brutality by the San Jose Police Department against the people of the Eastside.
The San Jose Police Department, true to its own barbaric tradition and history, attacked both the community and those who had put themselves in harms way by monitoring San Jose Police behavior with video cameras throughout the duration of the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The attack was caught on multiple video tapes.
Six of these community volunteers were victimized, harassed, assaulted, beaten, arrested and their footage and property seized at this peaceful, legal gathering on private property by the San Jose Police: Brian (age 27), Victor (age 23), Jake, Carlos (age 24), Jose (age 22), and Elsie (age 38). These volunteers were participants and organizers in this peaceful, non-confrontational event attended by people and their families; men, women, and children from throughout the community, with the support of the local businesses and the permission of several of the onsite San Jose Police Department officers in attendance, prior to the acts of unprovoked intimidation, terrorism, violence and attack that were perpetrated by heavily armed, riot clad, club wielding, and fist swinging officers of the San Jose Police Department against these volunteer monitors that night.
We, the All Communities Defense Committee, on behalf of the Eastside 6, demand:
-The immediate and unconditional release of all these volunteers
-The complete dropping of all charges against them
-The immediate formation of a grand jury inquiry into the actions and patterns of terror of the San Jose Police Department and an immediate moratorium
-And that the community is allowed to safely celebrate Cinco de Mayo without being terrorized and victimized by the San Jose Police Department or anyone else
We hereby encourage and declare that:
-Our Volunteer Community Monitoring shall continue throughout the Cinco de Mayo weekend, and until such time as the San Jose Police cease and desist their brutal, racist and violent tactics of repression and intimidation against our community, and that the WHOLE COMMUNITY is encouraged to come out in numbers with video cameras of their own - as is their right - to record and document the ongoing violence, hostility, bad-attitudes and uncontrollable behavior of the San Jose Police against our community.
-Lastly that we shall be issuing shortly video evidence of this entire Cinco de Mayo encounter, as well as several other encounters from throughout the city that night.
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are police automatically resonating with violent energy when they become ''police''. is there a brainwashing that automatically happens to beings when they join a ''police'' force?? is there some extermination ''genetic'' in our overpopulated ''species'' that makes agressors join ''police'' beacause we are a subliminally suicidal people? why are police automaticallly violent towards people?
Police dont automatically 'become' violent towards people when the become cops. The profession is sort of a magnet for people who are power hungry anyway, and with their newfound pig status they have excuses to act out their violent authoritarian power-trips.
It's as they say not , rogue cop's but police department policy , It is trained and the use of a type of combative physiological training . And it is true that they seek out certain violent and social behavors , ( ie ) middle income , the poor , or say single mothers , abusive fathers and so on . It is in a way a "Gang" the ( Police force) , with higher upps and the ones that want to achieve that satuse . The more one becomes some-thing the more one becomes that . There is also a lot of drug use that goes on behind closed doors , Steroids is the most common , however there is other drugs use as well .
What ever the method used to create this nagative action is no excuse for the way one to behave or act on , at the end of the day it is untimely up to the individual to choose to do harm to another or not .
What ever the method used to create this nagative action is no excuse for the way one to behave or act on , at the end of the day it is untimely up to the individual to choose to do harm to another or not .
Things Police Would Like You to Know
Your 5 year old kid getting pushed down by another 5 year old kid is
NOT a police matter; talk to the other kid's parents, not the police.
If your kid won't do his homework or do his chores, 911 is not the
answer.
If a cop causes a car accident we usually get a ticket, and sometimes
we get suspended. When is the last time you got 3 days off (without pay)
for rear-ending a guy at Wal-Mart?
If you think you can fan all the pot smoke out of the car before we
smell it, good luck.
We know you've had more than two beers. When I've had two beers, I
didn't hit six parked cars, drive my car through the front doors of a
Toys-R-Us, pee my pants or pass out at a traffic light.
When you see an emergency vehicle behind you with its lights and
sirens on, pull to the RIGHT, and stop. We are usually required to pass
cars on the left.
When you're driving in the fast lane and you see a cop behind you,
don't go 5 MPH under the speed limit. We are not impressed by how safe of a
driver you can be, we're trying to go help someone (or catch that guy in
the SUV that just cut you off). Safely move over and let us pass please.
If you get a warning instead of a ticket from a motorcycle cop, go buy
a lottery ticket, because you've already beaten the odds.
When you see an officer conducting a traffic stop, or with a suspect
in handcuffs, it is generally not a good idea to approach him and ask for
directions. If you do, don't expect the officer to be nice when he tells
you to get lost, and don't expect the officer to take the time to explain.
Here's how to get out of a ticket. Don't break the law.
If you drive a piece of crap, that is why you're getting pulled over.
In one week I pulled over 10 cars for minor traffic violations. 5 out
of 10 had no vehicle insurance. 3 out of 10 had suspended driver's
licenses. 2 out of 10 had warrants. 1 out of 10 had felony warrants. One was
a known sex offender with his 12 year old niece in the car without her
mothers
knowledge.
If you've just been pulled over doing 70 in a 35, do not greet the
officer with, "What seems to be the problem, officer?"
We get coffee breaks too, and sometimes we run into stores and do some
shopping during them.
When you're the victim of a burglary, take the time you spend waiting
for the officer to find the model number and the serial number of the stuff
that was taken.
Some cops are just jerks, but take heart in the fact that other cops
don't like them either.
If it's nighttime and you're driving a vehicle with tinted windows and
I pull you over, it's not because of your skin color. I usually can't tell
if the vehicle even has a driver until the windows rolled down.
Every time you hear on the news about people running away from a
crazed gunman, someone's son or daughter in a police uniform is running
TOWARD that crazed gunman.
Yes, it's true, cops usually don't give other cops tickets. Think of
it as an employee discount, perk or benefit. Other cops are family and you
wouldn't give your brother a ticket if you were a cop either.
If your local police agency has a helicopter, everyone knows it's loud
and annoying, but did you know it can cover the same area as 20 patrol
officers and safely chase criminals that are driving 90 MPH through city
streets. Many times the guy has no idea it's there and slows down.
Police work is.... writing reports.
If you rob a gas station you're only going to get about $100, but I
get to see a K9 dog use your arm as a chew toy. For all I care you can
keep the $100.
In one year of patrol work in a large city, only about ten minutes
would be cool enough to be on the television show Cops.
Every traffic stop could end in gunfire, but we have to be polite and
professional until that time.
I've taken about the same amount of men and women to jail for domestic
violence, so NO, it's not always the man.
People love fire fighters.
If the light was yellow, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Cops know you pay taxes and that your taxes pay cops' salaries. Cops
also pay taxes, which also pay cops' salaries so, hey, this traffic stop is
on me. Now sign here; press hard. There are four copies.
Police Officers...our job is to protect your butt, not kiss it.
Remember the two places you are always welcome- church and Grandma's
house!
Your 5 year old kid getting pushed down by another 5 year old kid is
NOT a police matter; talk to the other kid's parents, not the police.
If your kid won't do his homework or do his chores, 911 is not the
answer.
If a cop causes a car accident we usually get a ticket, and sometimes
we get suspended. When is the last time you got 3 days off (without pay)
for rear-ending a guy at Wal-Mart?
If you think you can fan all the pot smoke out of the car before we
smell it, good luck.
We know you've had more than two beers. When I've had two beers, I
didn't hit six parked cars, drive my car through the front doors of a
Toys-R-Us, pee my pants or pass out at a traffic light.
When you see an emergency vehicle behind you with its lights and
sirens on, pull to the RIGHT, and stop. We are usually required to pass
cars on the left.
When you're driving in the fast lane and you see a cop behind you,
don't go 5 MPH under the speed limit. We are not impressed by how safe of a
driver you can be, we're trying to go help someone (or catch that guy in
the SUV that just cut you off). Safely move over and let us pass please.
If you get a warning instead of a ticket from a motorcycle cop, go buy
a lottery ticket, because you've already beaten the odds.
When you see an officer conducting a traffic stop, or with a suspect
in handcuffs, it is generally not a good idea to approach him and ask for
directions. If you do, don't expect the officer to be nice when he tells
you to get lost, and don't expect the officer to take the time to explain.
Here's how to get out of a ticket. Don't break the law.
If you drive a piece of crap, that is why you're getting pulled over.
In one week I pulled over 10 cars for minor traffic violations. 5 out
of 10 had no vehicle insurance. 3 out of 10 had suspended driver's
licenses. 2 out of 10 had warrants. 1 out of 10 had felony warrants. One was
a known sex offender with his 12 year old niece in the car without her
mothers
knowledge.
If you've just been pulled over doing 70 in a 35, do not greet the
officer with, "What seems to be the problem, officer?"
We get coffee breaks too, and sometimes we run into stores and do some
shopping during them.
When you're the victim of a burglary, take the time you spend waiting
for the officer to find the model number and the serial number of the stuff
that was taken.
Some cops are just jerks, but take heart in the fact that other cops
don't like them either.
If it's nighttime and you're driving a vehicle with tinted windows and
I pull you over, it's not because of your skin color. I usually can't tell
if the vehicle even has a driver until the windows rolled down.
Every time you hear on the news about people running away from a
crazed gunman, someone's son or daughter in a police uniform is running
TOWARD that crazed gunman.
Yes, it's true, cops usually don't give other cops tickets. Think of
it as an employee discount, perk or benefit. Other cops are family and you
wouldn't give your brother a ticket if you were a cop either.
If your local police agency has a helicopter, everyone knows it's loud
and annoying, but did you know it can cover the same area as 20 patrol
officers and safely chase criminals that are driving 90 MPH through city
streets. Many times the guy has no idea it's there and slows down.
Police work is.... writing reports.
If you rob a gas station you're only going to get about $100, but I
get to see a K9 dog use your arm as a chew toy. For all I care you can
keep the $100.
In one year of patrol work in a large city, only about ten minutes
would be cool enough to be on the television show Cops.
Every traffic stop could end in gunfire, but we have to be polite and
professional until that time.
I've taken about the same amount of men and women to jail for domestic
violence, so NO, it's not always the man.
People love fire fighters.
If the light was yellow, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Cops know you pay taxes and that your taxes pay cops' salaries. Cops
also pay taxes, which also pay cops' salaries so, hey, this traffic stop is
on me. Now sign here; press hard. There are four copies.
Police Officers...our job is to protect your butt, not kiss it.
Remember the two places you are always welcome- church and Grandma's
house!
Great post!
You have got to be kidding. I do not know what television show you derive your opinion from but please spare me the bullshit. Instead of actually examining any of the risks and dangers in the community you spout off hare brained theories and speculation.
Well at least someone is putting the hammer down. I enjoy reading posts on Indybay. Why you might ask? Well, I like to get both sides of the story before I make my own opinion. I have noticed however that most people that call themselves "activists" on these posts are share their point of view are only looking on the side of "finding a way to blame the police for something." The truth is that we live in society that has crime. The police are absolutely a necessity and their job is incredibly hard. I read how bad San Jose Police are and all these blanket allegations have been brought at them. I personally I have not seen any evidence of such. There has been NO evidence of racial profiling NO evidence of brutality and NO convictions of excessive force. If we do in fact have a great police department then lets look at other options. Like focussing on legislation that will place the criminals in jail for long periods of time. Instead of looking for a reason to hate our police. If your response when the topic of police is brought up is "I hate the police." Well you just someone that is not educated, never has really needed the police, or is just a follower with the band of Berkley/Santa Cruz wannabes looking for something to protest. I enjoyed the humerous post left above and that was probably sent by a police officer. It shows that they have a sense of humor as well. Thank you to all the police that put you LIFE in danger everyday and protect even those COP Watch loosers. Merry X-Mas
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