Activity this past month has centered around support for Bear Lincoln and John Sanchez from El Em as legal proceedings continue. Bear's struggle is chronicled elsewhere in the MEC newsletter, but we would like to fill you in on John Sanchez's case and give you an update.
Background: John is a Sun Dancer from Oregon who was asked to come to the troubled El Em Colony in Lake County following the internal and external violence that resulted in shootings and burned houses, a shut down of the casino and a general exodus of the non-traditionals faction from El Em. John came at the request of the traditionals to promote reconciliation and spiritual support in the tiny colony located on the east shore of Clear Lake right next to an abandoned mercury mine.
This mine has been cleaned up with the usual Superfund ingredient, "Sham": open pits prevail, collecting water, some El Em houses on the water line are built on mine tailings and the ground water and soil (not to mention Clear Lake itself) are heavily contaminated.
On January 3, 1996, three men dressed in camo (1 Lake County deputy and 2 State Narcotics Division officers) in an unmarked car, ran a security check point set up by the El Em citizens for protection against further violence. The officers did not identify themselves until their car was stopped by a car driven across the road and surrounded by El Em residents. The masquerades pulled their guns and were in kind greeted with drawn weapons by the residents. It was only at that point that officers identified themselves.
John, who had driven the car across the road (and was injured when the cop car hit that car) and who was not armed, was arrested in the SWAT team-type melee and terrorization that followed at the Colony the next day.
Update: One of HRMP's two pro bono attorneys, Don Lipmanson, who took John's case, has been appointed his public defender by the understaffed Lake County judicial system (and over the objection of the Lake County District Attorney!) Don has succeeded in getting the ridiculous million dollar bail reduced to $50,000 and in getting the assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing charges dropped, but two charges with enhancements remain (six counts - two for each police officer): False imprisonment and terroristic threat with the enhancements involving being armed or being associated with those armed. These enhancements could add 5 years to what would most likely be a one year charge for the underlying charges. The false imprisonment and terrorist threat charges are known in legalese as "wobblers," charges that could be either misdemeanor or felony. Trial is expected late April early May; the next court date for motions is March 8 at 9:15 in Lake County Superior Court, Department 1, Lakeport.
Important! Bail funds are urgently needed for John; it will help his case in the courtroom to be out on bail. Moneys are also needed for phone calls to and from his family in Oregon. Please send contributions, large or small, to HRMP (earmarked John Sanchez), Box 533, Talmage, 95481.
Relevant Events: Bay Area march and rally against police violence, 16th and Mission, San Francisco, March 9; Videos re LAPD and National Convention on Police Accountability, Willits Environmental Center, March 10; Human Rights Monitoring Project meeting at the Willits Environmental Center, March 18 at 6:30 pm.
This spring there will be another training (location to be announced), for taking declarations and monitoring to be conducted by one of our mentor groups, CLMP from Humboldt (Civil Liberties Monitoring Project). Training in our area by Berkeley Copwatch, will also include a video.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited