Trial of Carlos Montes to begin May 15. Activists say prosecution is political repression.

by Tracy Molm Tuesday, May. 08, 2012 at 11:43 AM
stopfbila@gmail.com

Carlos Montes, longtime anti-war, Chicano right and immigrant rights activist is facing multiple felony charges in a trial that starts at LA County Superior Court May 15, 2012.

Carlos Montes, 64, is a Chicano civil rights, immigrants rights activist and leader in the anti-war movement. He has been active since the first East LA walkouts and the Chicano Moratorium against the War in Vietnam in 1970. He is facing multiple felony charges in a Los Angeles County Superior Court trial starting May 15, 2012. Jess Sundin of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (www.stopfbi.net) said, "Carlos is the target of an FBI frame up. The FBI and Los Angeles Sheriffs broke down Carlos’ door, ransacked his home, and took his notes and papers in a frightening early morning raid even though he is not accused of any sort of violent crime." Sundin continued, "The raid on Carlos is linked to the FBI repression of myself and 22 other anti-war activists who organized the mass protests outside the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota." Sundin continued, "The District Attorney wants to put him in prison for a decade for owning guns he purchased legally, for which he passed a background check upon purchase. These charges stem from a 1969 student strike for Black, Chicano, and Women’s studies at East L.A. College, where police beat and arrested demonstrators. Carlos was arrested on his way home from the protest, accused of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy (with an empty soda can). This charge was sentenced as a misdemeanor, according to one court document. The prosecution is basing their case on this 42-year-old misdemeanor, claiming with different documents that it was a felony." Montes said, "The legal process is being driven by something other than the facts of the case. It is political repression. I am being targeted because of my 42 years of activism to make things better right here in LA." Carlos Montes is available for media interviews upon request. *Further media resources* "Never Stop Fighting" - LA Magazine http://www.lamag.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1651963 Video - Hands Off Carlos Montes!