[NYTr] Cops Assault ILWU members on Sacramento Docks

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Steven Robinson (activ-l)

Indybay.org - Sep 1, 2007
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/09/01/18445304.php

Brutal Attack on ILWU Local 10 

Brothers-Assaulted by Cops on the Sacramento Docks!

by Transport Workers Solidarity Committee

http://www.transportworkers.org
Saturday Sep 1st, 2007 8:19 PM

On August 23, 2007 West Sacramento police and private cops attacked
maced and arrested two longshoremen on the docks. This unprovoked
attack was done under the guise of "Homeland Security". The ILWU will
be discussing taking action and also rallying when the longshoremen go
to court in Yolo county in October

Defend the ILWU Local 10 Brothers --- Assaulted by Cops on the
Sacramento Docks! Emergency Executive Board Meeting Tuesday September 4!

On August 23, West Sacramento police and private security guards
viciously attacked, maced and arrested two Local 10 brothers, Jason
Ruffin #101168 and Aaron Harrison #101167, coming back to work on the
SSA terminal after lunch. When the guards insisted on searching their
car, the longshoremen questioned their authority to do so and called
the Local 10 business agent. While one was talking on the phone to the
BA and without provocation, they were assaulted, dragged from the car,
handcuffed, jailed and charged with "trespassing" and "obstructing a
police officer". How the hell can longshoremen be "trespassing",
returning to work after lunch, having already shown their PMA ID cards
to guards at the terminal. Was it racial profiling because the two
longshoremen were black? Authorities citing a new maritime security
regulation that permits vehicle inspection doesn't mean maritime
workers can't question it. It doesn't take away a union member's right
to call his union business agent, And it certainly doesn't give
authorities, private or government, the right to assault and arrest you
without provocation. This is the ugly face of the "war on terror" on
the docks. And it'll get worse unless we come together and take action
to defend these brothers. Their court date is set for October 4 at
8:30AM in Yolo County Superior Court; 213 Third St.; Woodland, CA.

An injury to two is an injury to all!

We, Executive Board and Local 10 members, called for an Emergency
Executive Board meeting Tuesday September 4 to resolve this urgent
matter.

Melvin McKay #9268 Trent Willis #9182 Lonnie Francis #9274 
Lawrence Thibeaux #7541 Jahn Overstreet #9189 Jack Heyman #8780 
Erick Wright #8946

AUG. 31, 2007