say NO to SAN JOSE POLICE BRUTALITY, support the Custodio family

I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jcfc?e

I really think this is an important cause to help the Filipino community and other communities of color locally in Silicon Valley, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.

please support the Custodio family of San Jose, CA ... thank you!

Peter C


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Warm greetings!

While some celebrated love this past February, the Custodio family in San Jose, CA will remember the horrible incident of police brutality and misconduct they experienced on February 5th. Since then, the family has courageously stepped out of the silence that blankets so many of our families stories to say NO TO POLICE BRUTALITY! Allies, friends and other victims of police brutality have all joined alongside the Custodio family forming the JUSTICE FOR CUSTODIO FAMILY COMMITTEE which launched its campaign this past May 15th with a press conference in front of the Superior Court in San Jose, CA.

The momentum is building and we're asking for you to help keep it moving! Please take a couple of minutes out of your day to read our statement (here at the bottom of this email) and if you agree with us that our families deserve respect not brutality and you want to make your voice heard, please sign our online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jcfc/index.html

If after signing the petition you still want to do more, please email us at Justice4custodios@gmail.com and we'll put you in our database and email you when we have actions, court dates, press conferences, dinners, or committee general meetings.

JUSTICE FOR THE CUSTODIO FAMILY!
DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST THE FAMILY NOW!
PROSECUTE THE OFFENDING OFFICERS!
JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY POLICE BRUTALITY!

SJPD RESPECT OUR FAMILIES!!!!



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Drop the Charges Against
the Custodio Family Now!

Charge the Offending Officers!

Unite in Justice for the Victims of
Police Brutality!


Marlo (age 18), Romel (age 25), and Marilou (age 50) Custodio, three unarmed Filipino residents of Evergreen Valley in San Jose, CA were subjected to a series of unprovoked attacks by multiple members of the San Jose Police Department (SJPD)and later arrested to cover up these acts of outrageous police brutality. The beatings occurred in the Evergreen Valley lake area on February 5, 2007 around 7-8 p.m.

Eight police officers participated in the beatings and two officers observed. Examples of use of excessive force include:

One officer slammed Marilou's head against a police car three times. Marilou suffers
post-traumatic anxiety and trauma due to the police beating. She is a single mother.

Five officers swarmed, tackled, and brutalized Romel. Already pacified, Romel was still tasered with three weapons for 40 seconds (over the usual time limit) and had to seek medical treatment for physical injury and taser burns.

One officer choked and tasered Marlo even while he was following police orders;afterwards, another officer kneed Marlo in the face.

In late 2005 prior to Custodio family incident, the County of Santa Clara convened a civil Grant Jury to assess the possible "department-wide problem of racial profiling" in the SJPD. In May 2006, the County of Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury found "legitimate concern" regarding police use of excessive force and that the San Jose Police Department institutionally encourages police officers to disproportionately target, question,
search and arrest African-Americans, Latinos and other people of color.

Local organizations and concerned individuals strongly criticize the police and the city for this incident and many other similar incidents. A heavy burden lies with the District Attorney's Office to drop the charges against the Custodio family, grant them justice, take disciplinary action against the perpetrators and bystanders of the beatings, prosecute them, and to act decisively. We invite our friends and community organizations the support and join the campaign.

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JUSTICE FOR THE CUSTODIO FAMILY NOW
Oppose racial profiling and the use of excessive force by San Jose police officers & support the Justice for Custodio Campaign

The Justice for Custodio Family Campaign supports the family members who experienced police brutuality and their struggle for genuine justice and provides community education on racial profiling, know your rights, and social justice. At present, participating local organizations in the campaign include Filipino Youth Coalition (FYC), MALAYA, Filipino Community Support (FOCUS), Justice for Palestine, DEBUG, MAIZ, and the Coalition for Justice and Accountability.

For questions or to join the Justice for Custodio Family Campaign please email: Justice4custodios@gmail.com