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!!!!



========================================================================

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

PH Election Surprises?

I'm not sure why the so-called "trusted source of news and information" from the U.S. claims "unexpected opposition gains." For months, voter surveys (SWS, IBON, Pulse Asia, etc) indicate folks want Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to GO and very strong support for progressive party lists.

US propaganda reports:

Exit polls in the Philippines are suggesting that the opposition did better than expected in Monday's congressional elections. However, President Gloria Arroyo is still expected to keep control of the House of Representatives, where two attempts to impeach her were defeated by her allies. Meanwhile, violence continues to take its toll on the political process.

Here's a running account of electoral fraud and violence.

San Jose Police Brutality and Racial Profiling of Filipino Family Condemned

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2007
CONTACT: Raj Jayadev (408) 757-5875

San Jose Police Brutality and Racial Profiling of Filipino Family Condemned
Community Demands the District Attorney's Office to Drop Charges Against Family Members and Prosecute the Offending Officers Immediately

WHAT: Press Conference -- "Campaign Against Police Brutality and Support Filipino Family" with speakers from the Asian Law Alliance, Coalition for Justice and Accountability, and several local community organizations

WHEN: TUESDAY, May 15, 2007, 12 noon

WHERE: Public assembly area outside of the Superior Court, 190 West Hedding St, San Jose, CA, 95110

San Jose, CA-- San Jose police officers used unnecessary excessive force and racially profiled Marlo (18), Romel (25), and Marilou Custodio(50), three unarmed Filipino residents of Evergreen Valley. The beatings occurred in the Evergreen Valley lake area on February 5, 2007 around 7pm.

One officer slammed Marilou's head against a police car three times. Marilou is the single mother of Marlo and Romel and is employed in a professional occupation. After experiencing the police beating, she is suffering from post-traumatic anxiety.

Several officers physically brutalized Romel, age 25. Already pacified, officers still used tasers on him. After the incident, Romel sought medical treatment for the physical injury and excessive taser burns. Also, an officer choked Marlo, age 18 and another kneed him in the face.

"I'm appalled with police conduct against the Custodio family and urge the District Attorney's Office to drop charges against the family members right away," said Dr. Peter Chua, sociology professor at San Jose State University. "This is a clear case of police misconduct and hypocrisy. The police charged them with resisting arrest. The offending officers should be facing criminal charges."

"The San Jose Police Department has been under scrutiny recently for its routine and systematic practice of racial profiling against the Blacks and Latinos in the city and for use of excessive force against poor, racial, and immigrant communities," said Rowena Tomaneng, member of the Justice for Custodio Family Campaign and of MALAYA, a San Jose Filipina women's organization.

The Justice for Custodio Family Campaign supports the family members who experienced police brutality 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), Silicon Valley De-Bug, and the Coalition for Justice and Accountability as well many concerned individuals.

# # #

URGENT ACTION--DEMAND JUSTICE FOR CUSTODIO FAMILY & SAN JOSE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Filipino Community:

Please distribute to your contacts!!!

The Justice for Custodio Family Committee (JCFC), San Jose, Ca and Coalition for Justice and Accountability(CJA), San Jose, Ca condemn the San Jose Police Department and the City Government for the brutal use of excessive force against three unarmed Filipino residents of Evergreen Valley.

Marlo Custodio (age 18), Romel Custodio (age 25), and their mother Marilou Custodio (age 50), experienced RACIAL PROFILING AND UNNECESSARY EXCESSIVE FORCEduring unprovoked questioning and arrest without probable cause. The excessive force includes:
-- An officer slamming Marilou's head against a police car three times.
-- 5 officers beating Romel and three of them tasering him for 40 seconds (over the usual time limit).
-- An officer choking, beating, and tasering Marlo even while he was
following orders.
The family is now suffering from post-traumatic anxiety due to the police brutality.

The beatings occured 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.

We invite friends, community organizations, and supporters of the Filipino community, and victims of Racial Profiling and Police Brutality to join this campaign for Justice and Police Accountability.

JCFC, CJA, and other local organizations and concerned individuals are gathering for a press conference on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 from 11:30a.m.- 12:30 p.m. We are also attending the hearing proceedings with the Custodio family between 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. More Details Below:


Justice for Custodio Family
Press Conference
TUESDAY, MAY 15TH
11:30A.M.-12:30 P.M.
SUPERIOR COURT
190 W. HEDDING
SAN JOSE, CA


Meet in front of the court house at 11:30 a.m.
Wear white shirts to show unity and solidarity with the family.
Bring placards that demand justice and police accountability, an end to
racial profiling and police brutality, prosecution of police who brutalize our
community, etc.


For more info: contact Rowena at (650)743-9349 or filipineza@aol.com


The Justice for Custodio Family Committee (JCFC) is a coalition of Filipino organizations in the South Bay, which includes Filipino Youth Coalition (FYC), MALAYA, Filipino Community Support (FOCUS), and the Filipino National Historical Society (FAHNS). We seek to gain effective and adequate legal representation for the Custodio family members who experienced police brutality, to raise funds to support the Custodio family (a single parent household), and to conduct community education on racial profiling, know-your-rights, and social justice.

Will The Rock Play Captain Marvel in 'Shazam!' after Getting Smart

Though Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (recent 35th bday) has dabbled in video game adaptations (Doom) and big-budget fantasy flicks (The Scorpion King), surprisingly, he has yet to try on a superhero costume. But that might change, as the actor has expressed interest in playing Captain Marvel for the upcoming big-screen adaptation of Shazam!

He is planned to be in the movie adaptation of the 1960s sitcom, Get Smart.

Island power rules!

some halal food in southern Philippines

- unleavened roti bread in lamb oil: plain or with beef, chicken, or egg
- satti with chicken or liver

Places in Zamboanga such as Tini's and Jimmy's Satti serve halal dishes where you can get hot or cold tea tarik and local kahawa coffee.

VOTE KABATAAN PARTY!

KUNG MAHAL MO BAYAN PANDRAYA LABANAN.
POL KILINGS 22LAN!
SA TRAPO WAG PALOKO PROGRSIBO IBOTO.
FWD 2 10 PPL IN U.S & PHILS.
VOTE KABATAAN PARTY!

FROM TEXT BACK (Brgde Against Chtng & Killngs)- USA
____________ _________ _________

(Translation: If you love our motherland, fight against cheating. Oppose political killings! Don't be fooled by traditional politicians, vote for progressives)

Our votes may not count, but our voices will be heard: No to cheating! Stop Political Killings!
Vote for Progressive Party Lists!