Seven thirty in the morning at the Alhambra Court House in southern California saw a strong showing of anti-FBI repression activists protesting the recent charges filed against veteran community activist and Brown Beret founder Carlos Montes. This demonstration was one of many being held across the country for Mr Montes in the wake of new expansive FBI rules and an apparent new surge of repression against American anti-war and internationalist activism. There have been raids on citizens in Minneapolis, Chicago, Michigan and North Carolina as well as Los Angeles.
Mr Montes home was raided by Los Angeles county Sheriffs and the FBI on May 17th of this year. The charges revolve around a firearms charge, however all of Mr Monte's political and historical documents, computers and cell phones were confiscated making the original charge appear as a mere pretext for political harassment. When he was questioned in a police car outside of his home the questions revolved around Montes 40 plus years of political community and international activism. Many of the questions revolved around his involvement with The Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
http://www.freedomroad.org/ After reviewing the various aspects of the Freedom Road Socialist organization one must wonder if the American Green Party will be next on the FBI's target list.There are 305,000 registered Green Party members in states with party registration.
Six more felony charges concerning a firearm were added at Thursdays arraignment.
Montes ( representing himself ) asked for copies of affidavits concerning the search warrants and police reports but was rebuffed by a visibly distraught district attorney. In the end the judge relented somewhat and a heavily redacted copy was promised to to Mr. Montes.
Carlos Montes received a continuance and will appear in court on July 7, 2011.
The protest was proceeded on May 14th by a national call to Attorney General Eric Holder. The Los Angeles activists attempted to do so again today but encountered busy signals.
A call to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder can be made at (202) 353-1555 or call him directly at 202-514-2001
The demonstration which was a little over a hundred strong was kicked off by Felicia Montes ( Carlos's Daughter ) recalling the harrowing experience of having a swat team break down their door and raid their home at 5:00 am.
Montes emerged from the courtroom to an enthusiastic welcome by the protesters many of whom were veterans of the Los Angeles Peace activist scene.
There will be a meeting on Tuesday, June 14 @ 7:00 p.m. at 519 South Spring Street Los Angeles 90013
Carlos Montes is a pivotal member of the group Committee to Stop FBI Repression
http://www.stopfbi.net/ http://www.stopfbila.net/ Papers from an FBI raid on September 24, 2010 were left at the home of Mick Kelly and Linden Gawboy of the Minneapolis.Anti-War Committee
http://antiwarcommittee.org/ The documents are available for viewing below.
http://www.stopfbi.net/2011/5/18/secret-fbi-documents-reveal-attack-democratic-rights-anti-war-and-international-solidarity A time line of events surrounding recent FBI activities concerning peace activism can be found at ....
http://www.stopfbi.net/about/timeline The Washington Post has a good article on the new FBI guidelines
Washington Post Article on New FBI Rules
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103306.html The ACLU has a very good article amongst many below
http://www.aclu.org/spy-files/spying-first-amendment-activity-state-state Link up to Democracy Now below for a really disturbing account of almost 10 years of FBI surveillance of a citizen activist, Texan Scott Crow
Texas activist Scott Crow
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/14/fbi_to_expand_domestic_surveillance_powers An electronic petition from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression is being offered at...
http://www.iacenter.org/stopfbi/ 