[mobglob-discuss] Fw: URGENT (leila)

[Conrad Schmidt]

Please forward,
Leila Martin is a local BC activist who needs our help.

Conrad
215-9395
coordinator at worklessparty.org



Dear friends,
 I am writing to ask you to undertake acts of solidarity with my little
 sister, Leila Martin, and the other activists who are being wrongfully
 detained in Miami. Please read the message below, and if you are moved,
 respond.

 Tamil.

-----------------------------------------------



hi,

for those of you who don't know me, i'm ainsleah, leila's friend, i came with her to miami and she was supposed to fly home this morning.

i'm writing this to update everyone on what's going on.

on thursday, during the first demonstrations in the streets, leila and i were both beaten by riot cops moments after slowly spiral-dancing in the front lines with a few other radical cheerleaders. we had tons of media attention (later seeing ourselves on NBC news), appx. 20 cameras taking pictures while we successfully de-escalated an intensely dangerous space. 

the police then shot off tear gas canisters around the corner from where we were peacefully blockading (locking arms in a row), so the media attention was diverted in the direction of the explosions. instantly, the police charged forward, with shields, batons, padded clothing and helmets (against mainly 20-something small girls with nothing more than tank-tops and shorts on) beating and trampling us with no time and nowhere to go. leila got beaten 3 times on the head, i was beaten repeatedly in the back and legs, we both received small amounts of pepper spray and tear gas. the news got video of leila with blood pouring down her face. we ended up spending the rest of the afternoon at the wellness center while she got 4 stitches in her head. i have this all on audio, which we streamed live on indymedia radio.

if that isn't enough, unfortunately, due to excessive police force and constant "snatch and grabs" going on here in miami, leila was detained and arrested earlier yesterday afternoon. she and some of our friends were targeted simply for being "activists" (the convergence center is in a poor neighbourhood with 98% people of colour, so we stick out like sore thumbs). she and some of the people from the FCAA (free carnival area of the americas) were getting out of their vehicle near the "really really free market" and were surrounded. i witnessed this all from a distance but close enough to see that they were detaining judd, who had a backpack on, and leila locked arms with him --to show solidarity and protection for her friend who had no reason to be detained. the police removed her and put her on the sidewalk and dealt with judd. once they cuffed him they came back for her and slammed her on the hood of the car, TWO LARGE MALE COPS, showing total m isconduct and brutality towards my friend who has just suffered a fucking HEAD WOUND.

she was supposed to catch her flight home this morning at 7:20am EA.. so this is going to cost her a couple hundred dollars to get home once she does. if anyone wants to start a collection fund for her in nelson--that would be really helpful-- you can give all money to her parents (ph. 250-352-7224) 

so i spent the day yesterday doing jail solidarity, where once again we were gassed and shot with rubber bullets. i've been calling legal support and all the women's detention centers in miami, and still i have no word of leila. she may not be giving her name, in which case she's doing jail solidarity and waiting until all demands to release all prisoners are met. appx. 250 people have been arrested in the last 3 days. most for "unlawful assembly" like leila, who's only crime was walking with a group larger than 7 people. some people have been charged with felonies (all unsubstantiated) and their bails are as high as 20,000 US. 

what i need you all to do is call mayor manuel diaz:

305-250-5300 
305-375-5071 


and demand that all political prisoners be treated fairly, given appropriate food, and be released as soon as possible. there are queer and trans people in jail right now who are no doubt being harassed. the vegans are all on a hunger strike. you can also call police chief timoney:

305-673-7925 
305-579-6565 

please pass this on to anyone you know (parents, friends, grandparents) who support peaceful political action and human rights so we can swarm their phone lines with complaints until everyone is released. 

i don't want to scare anyone, but it is a known fact that the jails in miami are brutal. i was told by a local man that a young kid died a couple months ago because his appendix ruptured after he had been complaining of severe internal pain for 3 days and received no medical attention. some of the people who have already been released for misdemeanors have said that they are putting people in solitary confinement, denying the right to lawyers or phone calls, and refusing food and bathroom privileges. 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call mayor diaz and chief timoney and complain. the more articulate and educated you sound on the phone, the better. do your research. 

also, there are rumours of protests at all U.S. embassies if the prisoners continue to be held, so keep in touch with your local communities so you can be apart of those if neccessary.

also, send leila love and healing energy.. she needs it now more than ever.

for any more information (like if you're unaware of what the FTAA is all about or what's going on in miami) please go to: stopftaa.org, ftaaimc.org, indymedia.org, therootcause.org

xoxo,

ainsleah

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