NewsTaco

By Zach Gonzalez & Arthur D. Soto-Vásquez

A Mexican newspaper publisher of Grupo Reforma and professor at the University of Texas, Alejandro Junca De La Vega gave a speech Saturday titled, “A View form Mexico: What Could Possibly Come Next?” He noted the great fear many feel about Mexico’s future, “By any measure the country of Mexico was in better shape when Kennedy was president 50 years ago than it is today.”

“I come from a country where today dreadful things are happening. However uncomfortable it may be, I must speak the truth.” He opened the beginning of his segment by explaining the “legacy of dysfunction” present in Mexico as the root of the current state of issues.

The four different topics he highlighted were education, healthcare, the rule of law, and natural resources.  The continuing thread among each sector was that the institutions of Mexican society do not live up to their role of what Junco de la Vega calls “the street level,” meaning whether or not the policies were even implemented. Looking to the newspaper El Norte, Alejandro shared many stories of corruption within law enforcement, unequally distributed medical care, natural resources seen as a curse and not a blessing, and the fear that lies within the minds and views of Mexican citizens.

Apart from the frightening stories, Alejandro shared the criticism mexicanos receive speaking their minds.  “Friends (citizens and politicians) tell me to tone down what’s happening. Even enemies (the cartel) tell me to tone down the reporting,” he said, even as as he talked about how three grenades were thrown on the steps of the newspaper offices in Mexico. Bigger problems happen to lie farther than what the pictures and video clips of violence in Mexico shows us. Alejandro mentions that the problems that Mexico faces will not be easily solved nor by the current proposed initiatives that are presented.

“Your neighbor is bleeding. What specifically can we do, though? If we hold this idea of the game of life that states, ‘If you work hard, respect the rules, you will be rewarded,’ we need to put an end to those who need to be protected. Especially in a land where we say the resources belong to all, they really belong to no one.” Alejandro finished his discussion by looking around the room at the audience and patiently saying, “I ask that you look beyond the grim images I’ve shown you, and that you see the intrinsic beauty within the people that make Mexico beautiful.”

[Photo By esparta palma]

The summer of 1988 was a memorable one in my neighborhood. We still lived in that yellow house on Bodie Street in East LA. The sun still managed to leave evidence of its permanent penetrations by making our residence into a hellish sauna by night. The family rarely slept at all that summer. Every Sunday would end with a cookout, as the adults would drink late into the night and deal with the consequences on Monday. The children were allowed to stay up and throw trash into the grill – until the adults chased us off. What made the evenings more interesting was that all the families in the neighborhood came together for a common cause.

We weren’t the only ones that were up at night congregating. That summer there was a burglar on the loose. The odd thing was that the burglar was not breaking into houses, but rather into cars. At first, everyone blamed the cholos. Windows were being broken and possessions were being taken. The whole neighborhood was on the lookout, but they were being outsmarted and outdone by an apparent criminal mastermind.

One night my mother noticed the light was on inside of the family van. She let my father know, who in turn consulted with my uncle. My uncle then went into the box that was located on the top shelf of his closet. Inside that box he had his gun — a beat up piece held together with luck and duct tape. My mother was nervous about having a gun in the house, so she made my father convince my uncle to keep the bullets separate from the gun.

So my uncle went out to the porch, while we all waited by the doorway. We waited for the man who was inside the van to emerge and for the light to go out. It was then when my uncle yelled for him to stop. He squeezed the trigger once, twice, three times, four times – and missed him by a mile each time. The gentleman inside the van stopped like a deer in the headlights. He did not know whether to move forward or dive back in the van. He was a young man, skinny and wiry. I remember he had the wildest eyes I had ever seen on a human being. Looking back now I do not know if that could be attributed to a drug habit, or the fact that he had avoided a hailstorm of bullets.

And that was when the neighbors came out. First, they yelled out to make sure my uncle was out of bullets. Then they came out of their houses and surrounded the young man. He was nervous. All of the men pushed him around, and no one wanted to call the cops. However, one of the wives finally did – although they never did show. The whole ugly scene was broken up by a Highway Patrol car that was exiting the freeway. They had me translate the happening between them and the angry mob – and in the end, all they did was take him in the squad car only to release him under the bridge, while keeping the angry mob at bay and giving him a reasonable head start.

Justice was not served that day. I was happy about that, because all the men from Bodie Street lacked a leadership mentality – yet if one of them was capable of throwing the first punch, the rest were sure to follow. The mob mentality was in effect, but the turbulence was subsided by an uncommon sense that dulled the sensibilities of my father and the rest of the men. They were tribal creatures living interesting times inventing their game to hunt along the way.

[Photo By justj0000lie]

El Gallito Rebelde is at it again. IL Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez  addressed Congress on the Civil rights violation committed against the Puerto Rican people by the Puerto Rican police department. Rep. Gutierrez asked Congress to indict those responsible stating,

I want to see the special prosecutor appointed, the Grand Jury seated, the trials begun, and to see those responsible — and not just the police officers following orders, but those who directed the police to systematically repress free speech — sent to jail.

Gutierrez also demanded an apology from Governor  Luis Fortuño:

The Governor of Puerto Rico should apologize to his people. Puerto Ricans have called out for help.  In response, the governor and his ruling party have led an effort to demonize them for standing up for their civil rights. Governor, the Department of Justice has just made clear that your people were right and you were wrong. It’s time to say you’re sorry.

Here is the full address by Rep. Luis Gutierrez to Congress:

References:

• Contaco Latino
• Justice.gov

[Video By Rep. Luis Gutierrez]

El Guapo prides himself on having low standards and a knack for hyperbole. With that said, read the following — the greatest thing ever written by a human being.

So, many simpletons and imbeciles argue that our national priorities are warped beyond repair, that common sense has taken an indefinite vacation, that public policy and the legislators who design it partake in contrived kabuki theater focused on getting re-elected, being theatrically combative, and fanning irrational fears rather than working for the public good.

These pendej@s, for instance, compare things like yearly expenditures per prison inmate to how much is spent on the average public school student and shake their empty heads. Of course, El Guapo walks bravely where no man dare tread in search of answers.  Where others see problems, El Guapo sees opportunity. Where others complain, El Guapo takes action. You’re welcome.

Let’s take a peek at some numbers:

California, for instance, spends approximately $7,400 per public school pupil while it doles out about $47,000 a year for each prison inmate. Sure, you can be one with the head-shaking drove who see something fundamentally wrong with the disparity, or you can help El Guapo lead more Latino children to prison life, where they will receive free healthcare, a chance for an affordable education, and lots of time to read and exercise. Plus, with extracurriculars like shiv-making, toilet wine appreciation, and jagged Bic-tatooing, a youngster is likely to come out a regular renaissance man/woman.

Sure, there is already a disproportionate number of Latinos in prison, but we can do better.  Think of the children. When only half of Latino students receive their high school diploma on time and 4% of Latinos receive graduate degrees, prison life might be the unlikely remedy for what ails us.

Jump on the progress train with El Guapo. Mentor a young Latin@. Help guide them towards illegal activities likely to lock them up for enough time to get an education.  If we don’t guide them, where might they end up?

Your handsome and humble servant —

El Guapo

[Photo By vectorportal]

By Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez

A little over two weeks ago, two very drunk, very belligerent women made national news here in Mexico. Out for a Saturday night on the town, these two individuals were stopped by Mexico City police. What resulted taught us a lot about the way this society treats police officers.

The two women are now infamously known as “Las Ladies de Polanco,” named after the tony part of town where they were stopped. The area is popular among Mexico City’s well-to-do and full of expensive apartments, restaurants, bars and nightlife. It’s also still one of of the safest areas of town, thanks in great part to intense police supervision in the area.

On the night of August 21, the women were stopped by police. The women, enraged at being pulled over proceed to belittle and then physically attack the police officers that surround the vehicle. In the end, the women got their way and left the scene of the incident without nary a traffic citation. Unfortunately for these women, a bystander was quick to start filming the scene. The video was posted on YouTube, where it spread like wildfire. A few nights later, the video made its way to the national news show hosted by Joaquin Lopez Doriga, Mexico’s version of Peter Jennings.

You have to see it to believe it. Here’s a link to the video, but be warned there’s some very vulgar language in Spanish:

After the broadcast, people demanded to know why the police did nothing. And then the hunt was on to find “Las Ladies de Polanco.” Of course, in this age of social media, the “ladies” had nowhere to hide. They were quickly identified as two D-list wannabe celebrities — a 2004 winner of the Miss Puebla state beauty pageant and a former reality show cast member. Their excuse? One of their purses was stolen and the police didn’t respond to the call shortly before being pulled over.

What is inexplicable is the reaction of the officers who stand there and after failing to calm the women, just stand there and take the abuse. Did the fact that they were being filmed affect their reaction? Did they decide it wasn’t worth the trouble since the women would find a way to beat the charges in the legal system? Were they concerned about being accused of abuse of power? Interestingly, Mexico City’s watchdog Commission of Human Rights publicly announced their support for the police officers and said that the women should have been arrested. When these guys side with the police department, you know the ladies did something very wrong.

As unfortunate as this incident is, it’s not that shocking. In a country where there is great social and economic disparity, there is a sense of entitlement among some members of society. Mexico is the land of “la mordida” — a term used to describe bribing officials when you want to get out of a scrape. Almost everyone I know in Mexico City has at one time or another paid a small bribe to get out of a traffic ticket.

One of the most striking details in the video is the way the women proceed to insult the officers about their wages — calling them “asalariados” or salaried workers. What’s implied is that those salaries are very low. The women obviously enjoy a higher economic standard of living than the officers, as evidenced by the late model Jeep they’re driving and the flashy clothing they’re wearing — which appears to make them feel entitled to berate the officers. This disparaging attitude is something the Mexican government is working hard to combat. In June of this year, President Felipe Calderón announced a new program providing scholarships for the children of federal police officers and members of the military. President Calderon also announced a new holiday, June 2, to honor police officers.

I think it’s a step in the right direction.

In the United States, we’re taught to respect, fear and obey police officers whether they’re NYPD or the night shift police officer in Bunker Hill Village, Texas ( it’s a long story, Mom). When those lights flash behind you, you pull over, get out your paperwork and pray. That’s what I believe is the most basic example of a just, safe and orderly society — a basic respect for the rule of law and those who enforce it.

And maybe it’s because I have that background that when I do run into a Mexican police officer or member of the military, I thank them for their service. Especially during this challenging chapter in Mexico’s history. My husband thinks it’s corny of me. I think saying, “Thank you and stay safe” is the least we can do. I recognize that are corrupt Mexican police officers but I believe that the majority are hardworking men and women. Just like I believe that most Mexicans, not including “Las Ladies de Polanco”  are good, decent people.

And by the way, the “ladies” will have their day in court after all.  The reality show contestant, Azalia Ojeda, was picked up by police at her home and taken to the authorities offer her testimony. And on Tuesday, the former Miss Puebla, Maria Vanessa Polo Cajica, turned herself in to the authorities, accompanied by a team of lawyers. She paid a fine of 1,745 pesos to stay out of jail. Both are scheduled to appear in court.

Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez is an American journalist and political activist living in Mexico City, Mexico, with her husband and daughter.

[Video By duni410]

The police in Puerto Rico engage in a pattern of behavior that not only violates the U.S. Constitution, but other federal laws, according to a new report from the Justice Department. This includes racial profiling of Dominicans. Overall, the DOJ characterized the police’s behavior as including: “excessive force; use of unreasonable force and other misconduct designed to suppress the exercise of protected First Amendment rights; and unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests.”

More from the DOJ:

In addition to these findings, the investigation uncovered other serious concerns. In particular, the investigation uncovered troubling evidence that PRPD frequently fails to properly investigate and document sex crimes and incidents of domestic violence, and that PRPD engages in discriminatory policing practices that target individuals of Dominican descent.   At this time, the division has not made a formal finding of a pattern and practice violation in these areas, in part because PRPD does not adequately collect data to evaluate these issues.

The Justice Department found a number of long-standing and entrenched systemic deficiencies that caused or contributed to these patterns of unlawful conduct, including:

• A failure of PRPD to implement policies to guide officers on lawful policing practices, including the application of force;
• Tactical units that have been permitted to develop violent subcultures;
• Insufficient pre-service and in-service training;
• Inadequate supervision;
• Ineffective systems of complaint intake, investigation and adjudication;
• An ineffective disciplinary system;
• Limited risk management; and
• A lack of external oversight and accountability.

But the DOJ doesn’t just write reports for nothing, the government expects the police in Puerto Rico to change. The Justice Department is set to obtain a court agreement to force the police to “develop and implement a comprehensive reform plan with the judicial oversight needed to address the violations of the Constitution and federal law.” Read the whole report here.

[Photo By SKopp]

Gabriel Zavala Diaz was test engineer for NASA. His lifeless body was found on February 26, 2005. His family feels time pass, but their cry for justice becomes ever stronger and loud. There are no clues or suspects and their names are added to the long list of unsolved murders committed in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California.

Gabriel was 29 and his death left two children fatherless and a whole family plunged into the anguish and frustration. The police report states that received a clear shot in the head. Still no arrests, no witnesses or responsible for the murder these years later, so the authorities maintain a $ 100,000 reward for anyone who provides information concerning the case.

“Time passes and we know nothing. All we want is justice,” said Teresa, Gabriel’s mother. “We are frustrated, desperate. During the early days of the crime happened detectives spoke with us, as co-workers, but now it seems that all is forgotten. There is so much indifference. ”

To Explore Space

From an early age, Gabriel dreamed of becoming an engineer. His efforts and dedication led him joining in 2001 various projects of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), becoming one of the privileged few Latinos who worked on the Discovery space shuttle — which he lost the opportunity to see take off after his life was taken from him.

Gabriel worked at the NASA Ames Research Center in the Silicon Valley, in northern California, with a team of scientists and engineers who conduct research and technological development. This center supports NASA missions. Gabriel’s enthusiasm and abilities led him to join the team of X-37 test, the Mars Science Laboratory. Gabriel participated in four projects, including the development of the shuttle and a probe entered the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

Gabriel was honored in a ceremony that paid him all the honors in the facilities of the NASA Ames. There the family was given a plaque of appreciation for their cooperation and work. Later he received a plaque with the signatures of more scientists and colleagues who worked with him on the Discovery project.

Memories of Gabriel

His mother Teresa remembers the night of Friday, February 25, 2005 when Gabriel called her to ask him a recipe to make a special dinner for his girlfriend and mother of his two sons, whom he would marry in a few days. He then went to visit his grandmother and, after making some calls on his cell phone, said he would be returning home. His girlfriend waited for him to come all night.

His body was found Saturday morning inside his car near the house of his grandmother. “I do not know many details because I did not identify the body and because I have not wanted to ask a lot. I’m not ready, I feel guilty for not being there to defend him and take care of him. I should have been there that night at that time,” insists Teresa, falling into uncontrollable weeping.

Following the Clues

Police in San Francisco have offered a reward of $ 100,000, while Gabriel’s family makes a desperate call to the community to get justice by alerting the authorities of those responsible for the crime. The available clues are strictly kept authorities. “It’s a very difficult case, we should be very careful, because if we have no clear forensic evidence to blame a someone, then we have nothing,” said Detective Antonio Rojo of San Francisco Police Department Homicide.

“We can not reveal anything about our investigation. We understand the pain of the family, but still can not share anything with them. We do not have suspects or witnesses. In fact, the only witness so far is just the same suspect who does not know anything. ” Detective Fields says one this is for sure, the person who killed Gabriel was not someone just passing by and chose him at random. Inside the car there were no signs of a fight. “It was probably someone who had planned it, or acquaintance of the victim. But we are still investigating and we should be very cautious. ”

“There was a suspect in that Gabriel was making deals on buying a car. Following that, it seems that this man had threatened to kill him, because he had talked to a friend. He was the only suspect, but there is no evidence against him and he is now free,” said Gabriel’s cousin, Daniel Correa.

“I really wanted to know if the police are really investigating. If they have any questions that we could help answer. If there are clues, if there is hope. Maybe I know something that can help them. But no one called, no one says anything,” Daniel insists.”I know that here in San Francisco there are many similar cases and certainly that of my cousin is not so important to them,” he said.

“We are all trying to get down the road, but the path of life is done step by step until you reach your goal.” This phrase was Gabriel himself wrote one of his two sisters, who decided to share this thought in memory of this young man whose death expect not be forgotten.

If you have information that could lead to the capture of the murderer of Gabriel Zavala Díaz contact the Police Department San Francisco or you may do so anonymously by contactingExpendiente Rojo.

An interesting report came out of Counterpunch.org earlier this year that documents the number of activists — from immigration activists to green activists — who have been arrested under the Obama Administration. This would tend to shed a new light on the rhetoric that Obama is an unabashed liberal (a notion many liberals I know would scoff at) and the report includes a detailed list of arrests. Here’s an excerpt:

Since President Obama was inaugurated, there have been over two thousand six hundred arrests of activists protesting in the US.   Research shows over 670 people have been arrested in protests inside the US already in 2011, over 1290 were arrested in 2010, and 665 arrested in 2009.   These figures certainly underestimate the number actually arrested as arrests in US protests are rarely covered by the mainstream media outlets which focus so intently on arrests of protestors in other countries.

Arrests at protest have been increasing each year since 2009.  Those arrested include people protesting US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Guantanamo, strip mining, home foreclosures, nuclear weapons, immigration policies, police brutality, mistreatment of hotel workers, budget cutbacks, Blackwater, the mistreatment of Bradley Manning, and right wing efforts to cut back collective bargaining.

After you take a brief look at the list, it doesn’t look this even includes all of the DREAMers who were arrested, which if you recall, we reported on when 16 were arrested in San Antonio. There were others arrested all over the country, including Indiana and many other places. I have a feeling that if you add the DREAMers, we’ll see an even bigger number.

So what do you say to that? Has the Obama era been one of uncompromising liberalism, or business as usual?

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD.

[Photo By cliff1066]

A report from the Attorney General of California shows that anti-Latino hate crimes in that state are on the rise. A snippet from The Press-Enterprise shows that these crimes are up at least 50%:

There were 119 anti-Hispanic crimes in California in 2010, up nearly 50 percent from the 81 in 2009, the report found. The total number of hate crimes statewide rose slightly, from 1,107 to 1,110.

A press release from the AG noted:

 In 2010, there were 1,107 hate crime events reported statewide, and in 2009 the number of hate crimes reported statewide was 1,100…

The Attorney General’s report, “Hate Crime in California 2010″ was accumulated using data collection programs developed by the California Department of Justice, police agencies, and district attorney’s offices in all of the state’s 58 counties.

In 2010, there were 7 more reported hate crimes events than in 2009, an increase of 0.6 percent.

Anti-Jewish hate crimes decreased by 20 percent from the previous year, anti-black crimes decreased by 13.8 percent, and anti-gay crimes decreased by 10.8 percent. However, anti-Hispanic hate crimes increased 46.9 percent, from 81 in 2009 to 119 in 2010. 

A total of 361 hate crime cases were referred to prosecutors in 2010, fewer than the 479 cases referred in 2009. Of the 361 criminal cases that were filed, 230 were hate crimes. Of the 166 hate crimes with dispositions in 2010, there were 151 convictions (70 hate crime convictions and 81 other convictions).

This falls in line with a report we previously published, 62% of hate crime victims are Latino and 70% of the victims of LGBT hate crimes are people of color. It’s tragic that during what are already hard times some choose to vent their frustrations with violence against Latinos.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD.

[Photo By blakeemrys]

A man who enters into clothing discount stores like Marshall’s, Forever 21 and T.J. Maxx has been going around the Virginia area stealthily stabbing women in the rear, then fleeing. This is just straight up crazy, apparently what the guy does is go into these stores, selects a young female victim, then creates a ruckus, slashes their butts and leaves before anyone’s the wiser.

So far there are six incidents. Here’s how Patch.com described the experience of one of the victims:

On Monday, a 21-year-old woman said she felt a pinch on her butt while shopping at T.J. Maxx in Fairfax Towne Center on June 8. When she turned around, she saw a man picking up clothes and thought she had been cut by a hanger — a sequence similar to other reports of butt stabbings.

She later discovered cuts in her clothes.

No medical treatment was required.

The incidents started in February and police say the suspect is a Latino man, here’s a video of the alleged suspect:

http://youtu.be/hHnkPyRemlg

Whatever the case, this is just a weird story.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD

[Video By Fairfaxcountypolice; Photo By Bohman]

Yesterday the Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against the State of Alabama for its anti-Latino law that not only requires police to inquire about immigration status and penalizing employers hiring people without papers, but also requires children in schools to verify their status before enrolling.

Many believed that the law was already unconstitutional — given previous case law suggesting such — but many civil rights groups decried the law as an unprecedented breach of civil rights. Perhaps what made it all even worse was when Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks said he would “short of shooting” immigrants to prevent their migration.

Which is to say, the whole issue has been heated from day one. Now the Department of Justice’s lawsuit is going after Alabama’s state law because of how it interferes with federal responsibility for immigration:

In a complaint and brief filed in the Northern District of Alabama, the department said that various provisions of H.B. 56 conflict with federal immigration law and undermine the federal government’s careful balance of immigration enforcement priorities and objectives.   The brief filed today makes clear that, while the federal government values state assistance and cooperation with respect to immigration enforcement, a state cannot set its own immigration policy, much less pass laws that conflict with federal enforcement of the immigration laws.

Alabama’s law is designed to affect virtually every aspect of an unauthorized immigrant’s daily life, from employment to housing to transportation to entering into and enforcing contracts to going to school.  H.B. 56 further criminalizes mere unlawful presence and, like Arizona’s law, expands the opportunities for Alabama police to push aliens toward incarceration for various new immigration crimes by enforcing an immigration status verification system.

Consistent with the department’s position in United States v. Arizona, in which the department last year successfully obtained a preliminary injunction against Arizona’s S.B. 1070, the brief said that the mandates that H.B. 56 imposes on Alabama law enforcement may also result in the harassment and detention of foreign visitors, legal immigrants and even U.S. citizens who may not be able to readily prove their lawful status.  In addition, H.B. 56 will place significant burdens on federal agencies, diverting their resources away from dangerous criminal aliens and other high-priority targets.    In addition to interfering with law enforcement, H.B. 56 imposes further burdens on children by demanding that students prove their lawful presence, which could discourage parents from enrolling their children in school.

So there we have it. While the Obama Administration is taking on Arizona and Alabama in lawsuits, it has yet to take this step in Georgia, where another terrible law is actually devastating the economy of that state as immigrant workers leave.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD

[Photo By Svgalbertian]

By Tim Crews, Publisher, The Sacramento Valley Mirror

Willows, California — Close your eyes, you nosy reporters and citizens. The helicopters and hundreds of officers spread out over the North State don’t exist, according to a score of public information officers.

The massive six-county paramilitary commercial marijuana eradication effort called “Operation Full Court Press,” which was publicly announced in Ukiah in December, is believed by confidential sources to involve more than 450 officers, many military helicopters, untold numbers of police vehicles, military command and control wiring, and scores of support personnel.

Meanwhile, as the huge, highly secret operation got underway, Glenn County hunters and outdoorsmen report being stopped without cause while merely driving their pickups through the forest. This is according to 60ish Anglos who asked that their names be withheld for fear of retaliation.

“They turned on the red light and demanded to know what we were doing in the forest,” said one man, nearly elderly, a deer hunter up with friends, scouting.

The Mirror contacted agency after agency, including the U.S. Forest Service, Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Game and the California Department of Justice, which is ostensibly in control. Only of public information officers contacted returned phone messages: John Heil of the Vallejo office of the U.S. Forest Service Southwest Region headquarters, who took our list of questions but referred us to California Department of Justice Special Agent Michelle Gregory, who is the sole spokesperson for Operation Full Court press. Neither of the two National Guard spokeswomen on the ground would speak to us.

Special Agent Michelle Gregory said all information was “embargoed,” and would not say by what individuals, only all the agencies. She would not release the number of helicopters, costs or any other information. Even the existence, location and signers of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) — a mandatory document for an interagency project such as this — remained secret.

The tight news control – and most of the press has been complaisant or blind — extended even to the name of the mission, “Operation Full Court Press.” Mission commanders apparently believed that by not speaking of the operation, the Mexican drug cartels who run the big grows would not know they are coming, which is like ignoring a tsunami of law enforcement in the area.

Last Friday the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office issued a bland and misleading press release. On Thursday, staff there pretended to know nothing of the multi-million dollar operation, which was in fact hatched in Mendocino County. According to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors’ minutes, Glenn County Supervisors signed on to “fully support” Operation Full Court Press last summer.

Cost of officers alone for the three-week, six-county mission is estimated to be at least $3 million in a rural, poverty-stricken area.

Late Friday morning, this press release, devoid of solid information and long on feel-good ecology statements was issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

The purpose of this multi-agency, focused operation comprising federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is to identify and eradicate illegal marijuana cultivation sites on public lands in and near the Mendocino National Forest, and to conduct reclamation activities on the environmentally affected areas…

Large scale illegal marijuana cultivation leads to deforestation, damages wildlife habitats, and induces hazardous chemical pollution. The use of herbicides, pesticides and rodenticides can cause extensive and long term damage to ecosystems and impact public drinking water for hundreds of miles.

The name of the operation was withheld.

Tim Crews is the publisher of the biweekly newspaper The Sacramento Valley Mirror in Willows, California. For more information about his paper or subscription information email him at valleymirror@pulsarco.com

[Photo By Torben Bjørn Hansen]

Who hasn’t heard about Miranda rights in television, film, or reference to any current news story? It is important to know that anyone detained by police and whose freedom has been curtailed has the right not to incriminate themselves and to know their rights under Amendments V and VI of the Constitution of the United States:

• You have the right to remain silent.
• Anything you say may be used against you in court. (As a minor, anything you say may be used against you in the prosecution of a juvenile offense and can also be used against you in a criminal prosecution as an adult if the juvenile court declines, transferx or does not have jurisdiction over your case).
• You have the right to counsel. If you can not pay, counsel will be provided free of charge if you wish.
• You have the right to have counsel present during any questioning.
• You may exercise any of the foregoing rights at any time before or during any questioning, or making any statement.
• To waive these rights, you must know and understand, and after being informed of them, choose to voluntarily answer questions. If you do not speak English and can tell the officer made arrangements for an interpreter to participate in the case.

Amendment V.
(Ratified December 15, 1791)

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI.
(Ratified December 15, 1791)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Expediente Rojo Project (Code Red), is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Latino community with information about crime in their communities. Visit Expediente Rojo’s website, follow them on Facebook or on Twitter @Expediente_Rojo.

[Photo By Alex E. Proimos]

The Ortiz family in Cleveland, Ohio are suing police there, claiming their 17 year-old son Juan, who has Down syndrome, was assaulted in a case of mistaken identity. The alleged assault took place in August of last year in front of the family’s home. Juan was outside listening to his walkman when police mistook him for a robbery suspect. The family’s attorney told Fox8:

“But when you have the family trying to explain this is a child with down syndrome and the person they’re looking for is in their 50′s or 40′s and is a white male and this is 4’11″ and 118 lb. Latino child, you have to wonder what’s wrong with them.”

That’s right, the police confused an old white man with a young Latino child. What they did do the kid, according to the lawsuit and the attorney:

“…threw him up against Mr. Ortez’s hot vehicle and held him there for awhile until Juan received a burn in his pubic area and later he had to have surgery for it.”

Pobrecito. The police, for their part, said they acted professionally and let Juan go as soon as they realized they had the wrong person. What do you think about that?

[Video And Screenshot By Fox8]