Copwatcher Convicted for Expressing Free Speech
Story by Carlos Padilla // Video by Mojo

San Jose, CA -- Almost two years ago on May 5th, 2006, a community-wide Pro-Immigration rally/Cinco de Mayo celebration took place to be followed by a copwatch to observe and record police behavior toward Mexicano and Latino people on the streets.   The event was a response to the notorious historical practice of police brutality in the Eastside and Downtown San Jose during Cinco de Mayo and it came four days after the immigrants rights marches of May 1st, 2006; the largest demonstrations in the history of the U.S. where millions of people marched to defend the civil and human rights of immigrants.

The Copwatch was preceded by a speak-out and hip-hop event at the intersection of Story and King.   The purpose of that event was to honor the true roots of Cinco de Mayo as a celebration of the liberation struggle of the Mexican and indigenous peoples of this land, who confronted and defeated a French imperial army at Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862.   Small teams of Copwatch participants had planned to fan out after the event with video cameras to monitor police behavior.  

Initially, hip-hop, spoken word and dancing marked the event, which was attended by approximately 200 mostly young Mexicano and Chicano participants.   Neighboring businesses gave their support by passing out free drink samples.   Lt. Chuck Hahn had also verbally approved the gathering to its organizers although he perjured himself in court stating he never spoke to the defendant even though it is on tape.  

Police terrorized the participants when they later returned in riot gear, declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, and advanced on the crowd with batons.   The police appeared to target the participants who were carrying video cameras and bullhorns.

A performer and his companion were arrested, along with four of the Copwatch participants, who were carrying video and still cameras.   The citations included outrageous felony charges, such as "lynching" and assault on an officer with a deadly weapon (allegedly, the arrestee/victim's foot), which were later dropped.   Other arrestees still face speech-related charges with additional trials in the coming months.

The trial of Carlos Padilla concluded last week after almost 2 years.