Friday, August 27, 2010

Your support is needed: An Urgent Request from Grace Daniels

Friends, Family, Comrades:
I just spoke to my lawyer regarding the current state of proceedings regarding the charges being alleged against me since my arrest on January 16th at the Anti-Arpaio march in Phoenix, Arizona. I had hoped my next post on this topic would at least contain semi-positive news; unfortunately that is not the case. The prosecutor has disclosed their final plea deal which would require me to plead guilty to a class 5 felony, with a mandatory 30 days in jail, and a minimum of 1 year supervised probation (which could be up to 3 years).
I have until Wednesday to agree to take this plea or not, if I decide to go forward with the plea it would be effective on September 3rd, Friday. If I decide to take this to trial, the date is set for September 14th. Given the case that we have I normally would see taking this to trial as the best option, however, because a special sentencing statute specifying that this was a “dangerous” offense was added, the judge has no leeway in my sentencing and if convicted it would mean a mandatory 10.5 years in prison. As of right now although we have witnesses, we do not have any video documentation showing the moment that the alleged “crime” was committed. The police as anyone who was there knows, and as we know through the video that we have seen, had numerous cameras throughout the protest and at that moment. However, they are claiming that it does not exist at this point, meaning that it has likely been destroyed.
I am writing this as a last urgent call out to whoever reads this. Things that may help if received by Wednesday would be; character letters (guidelines specified below, you can email them to me at s0917daniels@gmail.com), any video documentation of the protest, and witnesses who saw me directly before, during, and after my arrest. If you feel you have any possible information or documentation that may help in this case, please email me for my lawyers phone number.
Thank you to everyone who has provided unending support and to those who continue to fight despite tactics such as these used to try to scare us into submission.
If you are unfamiliar with the events on the 16th, please see links below for more background and current updates in regards to the other 4 who were arrested that day.
~Grace
GUIDELINES
Who they are - brief
How they know you, how long, etc
Acknowledge that they know essentially what you are charged with
Then, FOCUS on your good character traits, with specific examples if possible.
Character for non-violence generally, and if they have experience with you at marches, rallies, etc, your non-violence at those.
They can then simply request leniency on your behalf.
They should NOT profess your innocence unless they were there and saw you right before and up to your arrest – and of course, we have found no such person yet.
They should NOT try to school the prosecutors and/or judge on the justice system, jail, prison, etc.
The latter stuff just turns off the professional who is reading it and they will ignore the good stuff!
The focus is on you, not the case.
LINKS

Friday, August 20, 2010

BOAF Art Auction

BOAF is hosting an Art Auction in early October(Sat., Oct. 9). See the flier above about art submissions. Details of the event will be posted soon. Money raised at this event will go to 3 groups; O'odham VOICE Against the Wall, O'odham Solidarity Across Borders and those who locked down at the Border Patrol Headquarters in Tucson, Az in May. The basics of art submissions are as follows.
Any medium is welcome.
Content does not have to be border related.
We want submissions or their photos by Fri., Sept. 24. Photos with artist information will be posted.
We want submissions by Fri., Oct 1.
Stay tuned.

Monday, August 9, 2010

July 15 Event: Why Border Opposition?

Why Border Opposition: Broadening Political Perspectives at Dry River, July 15th 740 N. Main

Food! Music! Presentations!

Dinner @ 6pm

Presentations @ 6:30

O'odham Solidarity- Ofelia Rivas from O’odham VOICE Against the Wall will speak about the impact of the border on the O'odham people and culture as well as the new Abuse Documentation Project on the Tohono O'odham nation.

Border
Resistance- All over the world borders are imposed on people as well as resisted. Hear an analysis on the political implications and learn about the worldwide resistance. See presentations from long-time No More Deaths volunteer and No Borders activist Geoffrey Boyce, local community organizer Luis Herrera, and videos on anti-border actions all over the world.

Legal Support- Many people from all over Arizona are now facing charges due to actions opposing border militarization and racist legislation: community support must go beyond attending rallies and marches. People from the Border Opposition Action Fund will speak about the potential of this resource for people acting against
borders. 

Music from The Possibles @ 8pm

7-20 dollar donation requested (No one turned away).

All proceeds will go to O'odham VOICE Against the Wall and the Border Opposition Action Fund.

For details, contact borderopposition@gmail.com