We have learned that some of the defendants targeted by the Riverside Police and D.A. have had the charges dropped against them for felony vandalism (for writing a message in chalk!), and that the charges have been reduced for the others. It is still imperative that Mike Hestrin, Riverside D.A., hear from us. Please call him at 951.955.5400 and tweet him @DA_MikeHestrin and @RivCoDA and demand that these outrageous charges against peaceful protesters expressing their First Amendment rights be dropped!
Tag: Riverside Co. D.A. Mike Hestrin
Drop the Charges Against the Abortion Rights Demonstrators in Riverside!
This letter was sent to the District Attorney in Riverside on October 3, 2022:
Mike Hestrin
Office of the District Attorney
County of Riverside
3960 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Dear Mr. Hestrin:
We are writing to you on behalf of the national feminist organization, Feminists in Struggle (FIST), to demand that all charges be dropped against those arrested at a RiseUp4AbortionRights demonstration on July 30, 2022, in Riverside, CA and who will be arraigned on October 6.
These arrestees were protesting nonviolently for the basic human right of women to control their own bodies and access abortion, and against the recent outrageous decision by the Supreme Court to overturn this Constitutional right guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.
Women throughout the country are watching the disposition of these cases and are alerting local politicians in your area as to the importance of these charges being dropped. Our right to peacefully protest is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and we expect that right to be respected by your office.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent issue.
Sincerely,
Ann Menasche
For Feminists in Struggle
WE ASK EVERYONE TO CALL THE RIVERSIDE DA’S OFFICE AT 951.955.5400 AND TWEET THEM @DA_MikeHestrin and @rivcoda TO DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST THE #RIVERSIDE8!! You may also email the DA’s office at: inquiries@rivcoda.org