From: "Marpessa Kupendua" To: Subject: [Y4M] !*Police Witch Hunt of Battle Creek Black Activist Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2000 11:57:51 -0400 ReplyReply AllForwardDeletePreviousNextClose SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN COALITION AGAINST RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY P.O. Box 19962, Kalamazoo, MI 49019 (616)337-7653,email banco_midwest@hotmail.com Folks, Robert Mitchell is founder and CEO of the National Police Misconduct Project in Battle Creek, Mich., and a long-time activist against racism and police brutality. About 10:30 a.m. today, I accompanied Kalamazoo (Mich.) attorney James Hyman, who is representing Robert, to a meeting with Battle Creek Police Chief Jeffrey Kruithoff to find out why Chief Kruithoff led a police raid on Robert's home on July 13 and why the police are looking for Robert. Chief Kruithoff refused to answer Hyman's questions. He would only say that no warrant had been issued for Mr. Mitchell's arrest at that time. At 1:15 p.m. today, Hyman informed me that a warrant for Robert's arrest has now been issued. Robert, who is currently on parole stemming from his conviction for impersonating a lawyer, has been charged with several felony criminal violations, including assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping. It is no accident that these charges have been made against Robert just a few weeks after he organized a group of Battle Creek fire fighters to file a major federal lawsuit against the Battle Creek Fire Dept. for its racist employment practices. Furthermore, on June 17, Robert led a demonstration against police brutality in Battle Creek. To put it bluntly he is being framed. Presently, he is in hiding for fear of his life. Please support Robert by calling Chief Kruithoff at (616)966-3322 (M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT)to express your outrage over the charges against Robert. The coalition's statement, which follows, was prepared before the arrest warrant for Robert was issued. Peace and love, JoNina M. Abron ===========================================> SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN COAITION AGAINST RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY P.O. Box 19962, Kalamazoo, MI 49019 (616)337-7653, email banco_midwest@hotmail.com For Immediate Release July 14, 2000 Contact: JoNina M. Abron STATEMENT ON POLICE WITCH HUNT OF ROBERT MITCHELL The Southwest Michigan Coalition Against Racism and Police Brutality denounces the Gestapo-like raid on July 13 by the Battle Creek Police Department on the home of well known local civil rights activist Robert Mitchell. It is outrageous that before raiding Robert's house, police cordoned off the block in which Robert lives, no doubt frightening many of his neighbors by making it appear that the police were in pursuit of a "dangerous criminal." Who knows what harm the police might have done to Robert had he been at home when the police came? After learning about the raid, Robert went into hiding, fearing for his life if he surrendered to the police. The police have refused to tell Robert's attorney, James Hyman, why they are looking for Robert. It is clear to us that the polic manhunt for Robert Mitchell is the first step in a conspiracy orchestrated by Battle Creek police to discredit Robert and destroy his leadership and work organizing against police brutality and racism in Battle Creek. What are the reasons for this smear campaign? Robert Mitchell is founder and CEO of the National Police Misconduct Project, which on June 17 held a march against police brutality and racial profiling in Battle Creek. Furthermore, Robert has been instrumental in organizing a group of local fire fighters who recently filed a federal lawsuit against the racist employment practices of the Battle Creek Fire Department, led by Chief Larry Hausman. The search for Robert was led by police Chief Jeffrey Kruithoff. Robert has been a forceful and vocal critic of Kruithoff. In Battle Creek, the fire department is under the jurisdiction of the police department. Hausman, who also has good reason to dislike Robert, reports to Kruithoff. Are the police chief and the fire chief jointly conspiring against Robert? The Southwest Michigan Coalition Against Racism and Police Brutality demands that the Battle Creek Police Department immediately stop the harassment and persecution of Robert Mitchell. We call on the justice-minded people of Battle Creek to prevent the police witch hunt against Robert from succeeding in its ultimate goal--the destruction of the local movement against racism and police brutality. END Stop the execution! New trial for Mumia! Youth & Students for Mumia http://www.mumia2000.org To subscribe or unsubscribe email: youth-4-mumia-owner@egroups.com