CUAPB

What if you were raped and no one believed you?  Now--what if you were raped by the police?  What if their superiors failed to investigate the crime?  What if instead of punishing the rapists, they charged you with the crime of lying about police "misconduct"?

This is what happened to Camille Williams, a black Twin Cities woman.**  Raped by Minneapolis Police Officers Paul Gillies and Miquel Barnes almost two years ago, Williams was subsequently charged with the crime of falsely reporting police misconduct--a charge levied so that, audio recordings tell, the MPD could avoid a civil lawsuit.  After a two and a half week trial, Williams was found guilty by a 6-person Hennepin County jury on Monday, despite allegations of jury misconduct (including one juror sleeping during the trial).  On Tuesday, when Williams was scheduled to be sentenced, the defense successfully argued for a postponement until August 14 based on several pending motions aimed at overturning the decision.

"I didn't lie about a damn thing and here I am, accused of a crime!" Williams says.  Gillies and Barnes, meanwhile, continue to walk the beat.

**Although the rape survivor's name has been reported by corporate media outlets, we are changing it here, even though the callous disregard for survivors of sexual assault (whether proven in the courts of the perpetrator or not) by uncritical pro-police media has already resulted in harm.  Also: Note that the article below may trigger strong and difficult emotions/memories, especially for survivors and others affected by sexual assault and police brutality.

Related: As Summer Heats Up, Testimony Describes MPD as Brutal, Lawless | Rochester, NY IMC: Fighting Police Brutality with Video | Bay Area IMC: Oakland Police Kill Unarmed Fleeing Black Man

50-60 Minneapolis residents gathered at the Urban League on the north side's Plymouth Avenue Monday night to give testimony about brutality and harassment at the hands (and batons, tasers, guns, etc.) of the Minneapolis Police Department. Their stories showed that police misconduct against people of color and the homeless is not isolated, and nearly all present were in agreement that, as one speaker proclaimed, "they've got to be accountable. Minneapolis has one of the most brutal police departments in the U.S."

The primary aim of this public hearing and an upcoming hearing to be scheduled on the south side was to gather testimony, to be shared with federal officials, with the goal of putting the Minneapolis Police Department under federal receivership. With a decree of receivership from the Department of Justice, the MPD would be under official supervision from the federal government until it became in compliance with the law. This new strategy is being used, say its proponents, since a decade of organizing around civilian review boards, individual lawsuits, a class action suit, and federal mediation has not succeeded in stopping MPD violence and harassment.

With lawyers, activists, a representative of Keith Ellison's office, and many survivors present, the testimonies were mixed with calls for communal action. "The people receiving these brutalities," said one audience member after telling his story, "outnumber the people who are doing it."

Related: Cop Culture Series on KFAI Radio | MPLS Civil Rights Department on Chopping Block | Community Members Rally in Reponse to Fong Lee Verdict | Ofiong Sanders Imprisoned for Lurking |  July 11: Hastings Rally One Year After Police Killing | CUAPB 

Ofiong Sanders is a case study of a person who has changed his life for the better.  In 1997, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced 10 years in prison.  During those 10 years, he had an epiphany and recognized that he was handing his life over to the state.  He vowed to straighten out his life.  When the time came for him to be released, he found that the prison system continued to hold him, based on a miscalculation of his sentence.  He sued, representing himself, and won his immediate release.  Since then, he has been on parole and has worked full time.  He has become an activist with CUAPB and teaches youth about his experiences behind bars and about their rights.  He has testified before the legislature multiple times about abuses he suffered in prison and the need to restore the prison ombudsman program. 

RALLY FOR JUSTICE FOR FONG LEE
Unarmed man killed by Minneapolis cops

Monday, May 11, 8:45 a.m.

Federal Courthouse

316 N Robert Street, St. Paul

Parking/transportation

Shuttle buses will be available starting at 8:00 a.m. from