http://la.indymedia.org/news/2005/05/127593.php

Last protestor arrested by GG police at Minuteman demo expected to be released

Kurt Isobe, one the last protestors still in Orange County jail after being arrested by Garden Grove police at last Wednesday's demonstration against Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist, is expected to be released tommorrow.

Kurt Isobe, one the last protestors still in Orange County jail after being arrested by Garden Grove police at last Wednesday's demonstration against Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist, was arraigned today in Department W15 at the West Justice Center in Westminister. His case was heard by Orange County Court Commissioner Richard E. Pacheco

The District Attorney's office is charging Isobe with committing one felony and three misdemeanors: PC 245(c), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm to produce great bodily injury on a peace officer; PC 148(a)(1), resisting or obstructing a peace officer in the performance of his duties; PC 600(a), throwing or hurling objects at a horse being used by a peace officer in the performance of his duties; and PC 185, wearing a mask in the commission of a public offense.

David Haas, an Orange County civil rights attorney, entered a plea of "not guilty" on Isobe's behalf. Haas also asked Commissioner Pacheco to drop the $50,000 bail that had been set and allow him to be released on his own recognisance. The Commissioner refused to release Isobe on those grounds, but said he was willing to consider reducing the bail.

Andrea Burke, the Deputy District Attorney assigned the task of handling the arraignment, strenously argued against reducing bail for Isobe, claiming he was a potential flight risk. She also argued that Isobe posed a threat to public safety, stating that Garden Grove police allegedly saw him throwing two cans full of marbles at their officers standing on the street and on horseback.

Haas responded to Burke's statements by telling the Commissioner that Isobe is an 18 year old student who lives at home with his parents and has no prior criminal record. He emphasized that Isobe is not a flight risk and pointed out the fact that close to 40 of his friends, concerned citizens, and family members -- including both his parents -- had attended today's arraignment in support of him.

Upon hearing all the arguments, Commissioner Pacheco finally agreed to reduce bail to $25,000 but attached the condition that Isobe not be involved in organizing or participating in any "protests, picketing, or any conduct like what happened in this last demonstration" -- a blatantly unconstitutional requirement -- but one that was reluctantly agreed too.

Isobe's family will be meeting with a bailbondsman later tonight to post $25,000 bail. It's expected that he'll be released from the custody of the Orange County jail sometime early Saturday morning.

Statements, videotape, and other evidence are in the process of being collected and analyzed. If anyone has information they believe will be useful to Isobe's defense, they can email this author at the following email address: duaneroberts92804@yahoo.com.

In the meanwhile, Isobe's next court appearance has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th, 2005 at 8:30 am in Department W15 at the West Justice Center, Orange County Superior Court, 8131 13th Street, Westminster, CA.

Author: Duane J. Roberts
Posted: Friday May 27, 2005 11:55 AM

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What about the others?

thanks for posting this. i really appreciate everybody staying on top of this, and reporting all updates. i am very interested in hearing as consistent updates on the remaining families. any word (how about a complete listing of everybody's charges, their bails, etc??)

just trying to stay on top of it:)

thanks, D

Author: phuk minutemen
Posted: Saturday May 28, 2005 01:31 AM

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Re: What abou the others?

Hi:

> thanks for posting this. i really appreciate > everybody staying on top of this, and reporting > all updates. i am very interested in hearing > as consistent updates on the remaining > families. any word (how about a complete > listing of everybody's charges, their > bails, etc??) just trying to stay on top of > it:) > thanks, D

I agree. The reason why I wrote specifically about Kurt Isobe's case was because I was able to attend his hearing and observe what was going on. But we can't lose sight of the fact that four other people were arrested last Wednesday evening by Garden Grove police and that they need support as well. So we need to follow up on this.

Sincerely,

Duane J. Roberts
duaneroberts92804@yahoo.com

Author: Duane J. Roberts
Posted: Saturday May 28, 2005 02:02 AM

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To Kurt Isobe

This goes out to Kurt Isobe;

Hey bro, im a big fan of your fights against racial diversity and against the racist minutemen organization. I have acknowledge the fact that you are being held in contempt for your protest against what you believe is right, but as you may know, YES!! Its true, the minutemen organization only targets Mexicans and acts only against Mexicans. The minutemen organization is unjust and undemocratic, and the only way we, Mexicans!! Will prevail and conquer this unjust actions is by uniting and conquering, we must UNITE AND CONQUER the white men because they fear us, they fear our vary presence, they fear that if we unite we will take matters into our own hands, and put an end to their so-called patriotic principles, but they are right, if we unite there is nothing from which we can't overcome. We could overcome any obstacle that stands on our path of obtaining our rights, the rights of immigrants. There are many people who also fear our idea of uniting, like California’s governor Arnold, an Austrian immigrant himself cant stand the fact that we are here to stay, that they may do whatever they want, but they will never crush our spirits because we are Mexicans, we are Aztec's and come of proud and honorable ancestors, who wont stand down and let the white man have its way, we must fight and act, but not in violence, but in peaceful negotiations. As a student (Junior) at Westminster High School and resident of Westminster City, I have first hand seen and experience the effects and consequences of the actions of the minutemen and their so-called patriotic principles.

One more thing Kurt, if you know of any protest that are going to take part against the minuteman or if you need any help in organizing any protest's against the minuteman, feel free to contact me.

Author: Angry Chicano
Posted: Saturday May 28, 2005 05:00 AM

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Has he been released yet?

Has he been released yet?

Author: ?
Posted: Sunday May 29, 2005 01:06 AM

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Pathetic Lies

Theres video tape confiming violent protestors throwing bags full of marbles, kicking cars, surrounding cars.... Photos can be doctored... video can not. All politics put aside....watch the video. Theres reasons why people aren't charged... VIDEO can't lie.

Author: Unbiased_Va
Posted: Sunday May 29, 2005 01:12 AM

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Photos are real!!!My apoligies to 1planet and anyone

I just want everyone to know that all photos are real... I used poor word usage by saying doctored... I meant to mean one sided... nonetheless... I'm sorry to 1planet , ...his photos are 100 percent real!!!

Unbiased OUT

Author: Unbiased_VA
Posted: Sunday May 29, 2005 06:10 AM

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Fancy Backpedaling!

Wait... are videos real or doctored?

Fake, real. Real, fake.

If there's something to be learned here about truth... is that those in power will always try to define it, and those without power will have their truth challenged.

History is revised to justify the present conditions.

Author: johnk
Posted: Sunday May 29, 2005 07:39 AM