[act-ma] THUR 2/28 - STAND WITH SOMERVILLE 5 YOUTH IN COURT!

[International Action Center Boston]

DEFEND OUR YOUTH!
DROP THE RACIST FRAME-UP CHARGES AGAINST THE SOMERVILLE 5!
STOP POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL PROFILING!

Your immediate help is needed:

The trial for the juvenile defendants in the case will
start this Thursday, February 28th at 9:00 AM

Come pack the court:
Thursday, 2/28/08 9:00 AM and for however long the trial lasts.
Middlesex Juvenile Court
121 Third St.
Cambridge
(brick building, corner of Thorndike and Third Streets, Lechmere Stop on 
Green Line)

Call, Fax or Write the Judge.
Demand Case be dismissed and all charges dropped!
Chief Justice of Juvenile Court
Honorable Martha P. Grace
3 Center Plaza, #520
Boston, MA 02108
TELEPHONE: 617-788-6550
FAX: 617-788-8965

      The Somerville 5 are Black youth who were racially
profiled by white Medford police then attacked, beaten,
maced and arrested on April 20, 2005.  They were charged
with numerous crimes and suspended from Somerville High
School.  They became a symbol across Boston of youth
standing up and fighting back against racism and police
brutality.
      Almost three years later, the Medford cops and
Middlesex DA are continuing with their attempts to
railroad the remaining 2 defendants, Cassius Belfon and
Earl Guerra.  Jury selection will start on Wednesday,
February 27 and the trial is expected to begin on
Thursday, February 28.  These young men should be allowed
to get on with their lives.  Both Cassius and Earl will be
graduating from high school this year and are looking
forward to attending college.  Both are active in
organized sports and church activities.
      The pursuit of this racist vendatta by the Medford
Police and DA is an outrage, particularly in light of the
fact that the first trial of Calvin Belfon and Isaiah
Anderson was rife with conflicting police testimony and
lies.  One witness for the prosecution turned against them
and testified in defense of the Somerville 5, saying she
had been coerced and duped.  Other witnesses were taken to
the police station and threatened.  The judge stated in a
memo that it was clear that the police initiated the
attack on the youths, resulting in the youths being forced
to defend themselves.
      For one and a half years, the Committee to Defend
the Somerville 5, friends, family and supporters picketed,
rallied, held press conferences, conducted a national
phone/fax campaign, held fundraisers and then packed the
courtroom.  The judge, the jury, the police and the DA all
took note of this.  As a result, the DA's plan to lock the
youth in prison for 2 years was stopped!  But they were
found guilty of some charges and given 2 years probation.
      Enough is enough!  We need to defend our youth!
Demand all charges be dropped against Cassius Belfon and
Earl Guerra!
Thank you,
Committee to Defend the Somerville 5
c/o The Action Center
284 Amory St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-522-6626

 











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