Report on Carlos Montes Court Hearing

There was an extremely serious development in Carlos Montes case concerning six felony charges on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lomeli denied the motion to dismiss, setting the stage for trial later this year. A Prosecutor stated in the press that Carlos faces up to five years in prison. So now, the fight is on!

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression in Los Angeles had a good turnout of supporters both outside and inside the courtroom. Carlos and his attorney presented a motion to drop the charges on the grounds of insufficient evidence. They specifically challenged the State’s claim that Carlos has a felony conviction from his 1969 persecution by police for leading a student strike demanding Chicano/a Studies and Black Studies at East LA College. During a rally by Chicano and Black students, the LA County Sheriff’s Department invaded the college campus. The Sheriffs confronted students, then beat and arrested some. Carlos was arrested and charged with assaulting a Sheriff’s Deputy.  The legal record does not support the DA contention that Carlos has a felony conviction. The DA and court continue to move forward with this unjust prosecution based on a 42 year old case. This is really about Carlos deep and long involvement in the antiwar, immigrants’ rights and international solidarity movements that challenge US Empire and war. Carlos needs your support!

The State, via the District Attorney and the judicial system, wants to put Carlos in jail for his political activism and effective organizing. We need to continue to build on the support Carlos has and get ready for a full jury trial. Carlos believes that a jury of his peers will find him not guilty. Now is the time to fight! We must organize to win! 

The next court date is February 8, 2012. Carlos and team will continue the discovery process on the Sheriffs to get ready for trial. Please see the LA Committee web site at http://www.stopfbila.net/index.html for further details on time and location for an emergency meeting in Los Angeles, on Saturday, February 11, 2012.