March 13, 2012

Milwaukee SDS Stands in Solidarity with Carlos Montes

The Milwaukee chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has resolved to denounce the continued repression of Chicano activist, Carlos Montes by the FBI. On March 2nd, Carlos Montes’ lawyer made discovery motions on how FBI special agent Matt Weber worked with L.A. Sheriff Detective Don Lord and the Joint Terrorism Task Force in this frame-up attempt. SDS has and will continue to stand in solidarity with Carlos Montes as he struggles against government repression.

Between September and December 2010, the FBI raided the homes of and subpoenaed 23 anti-war and international solidarity activists to appear before a federal grand jury. On May 17th, 2011 the FBI raided Carlos Montes home, taking his computer, cell phone, and countless personal files for their investigation. Arrested and charged with “violation” of a firearm code, he is now facing six felony charges and up to eighteen years in prison for his work as a political activist.

Carlos’ arrest and subpoena is undoubtedly stemming from the U.S. governments continued campaign through the FBI to silence dissent to its unjust policies worldwide. The FBI has continued to threaten Carlos and the 23 other activists with prison sentences. The FBI has no evidence to support its case, and considering the materials taken from Carlos’ house and their irrelevance to the firearm “violation,” it is obvious that the government will use anything, no matter how insignificant to slander him and frighten his supporters as a part of its campaign to manufacture domestic consent to its foreign policy.

Carlos’ and his supporters are not scared, they are in it to win it and will continue to fight for justice at home and abroad. No crimes have been committed save for the flagrant violation of human rights by U.S. imperialism abroad.

An injury to one is an injury to all! We Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society maintain our solidarity with Carlos Montes and demand that the FBI, Federal Government and Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department drop all the charges against Carlos Montes and cease and desist repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists immediately!