Urgent support actions for CeCe! Court Thurs, call-in Fri, Support Committee meeting Sat!

Hi folks- CeCe’s case has taken a new turn, and she needs all the support she can get over the next several days. Scroll down for info on four ways to participate:

1. THURSDAY 1-5-12 1:30 pm: Court Appearance
2. FRIDAY 1-6-12: Call/email/fax the Hennepin County Attorney
3. SATURDAY 1-7-12, 4pm to 7pm: CeCe Support Committee Meeting
4. EVERYDAY: Write CeCe in jail!
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1. THURSDAY 1-5-12 1:30 pm: Court Appearance

We need you community! CeCe has a court date Thursday afternoon, 1:30pm at the Public Safety Facility (401 South Fourth Ave, downtown Minneapolis). We need as many folks to come out to show support as possible. We need to show this ‘justice’ system that she has community support even at the last minute. Let’s meet out front of the Public Safety Facility, which is just across the street from the Hennepin County Courthouse, at 1:30pm this Thursday.

On the advice of her attorney, CeCe turned herself in this afternoon after the court issued a bench warrant for her arrest. She is accused of violating the conditions of her release. During court these alleged violations and the status of her bail will be discussed. Please come out and support CeCe!
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2. FRIDAY 1-6-12: Call/email/fax the Hennepin County Attorney

On January 6th, continue to call, email, and fax Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman and demand he drop the charges against CeCe. Again we are extending the call-in to include Assistant Attorney Marlene Senechal, head of adult prosecution.

LET’S LET FREEMAN AND SENECHAL KNOW THAT WE WONT STAND FOR THE RACIST, TRANSPHOBIC PROSECUTION OF CECE!

While Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald is being prosecuted for murder after being violently attacked for her race and gender, Freeman’s office recently declined to prosecute the killer of Darrell Evanovich, a black man who was shot dead after an alleged robbery. While no person should be thrown to the mercy of the soulless, so-called “justice” system, the fact that CeCe is on trial after being assaulted, while someone who killed a black man after chasing him down is touted as a “good Samaritan,” highlights the racist and transphobic nature of the prosecution of CeCe. Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman and Marlene Senechal have the power to drop the charges against CeCe. So far, though, he has implicitly sided with CeCe’s white supremacist attackers by failing to acknowledge the racist, transphobic assault that she survived as a mitigating factor in the unintentional death of Dean Schmitz.

*When: Friday, Jan 6, ALL DAY
*Where:From home, work, wherever you find yourself!
*What: Call Michael Freeman at 612-348-5540, fax at 612-348-2042, and email at citizeninfo@co.hennepin.mn.us
Call Marlene Senechal at 612-348-5561, fax at 612-348-3061, and email at citizeninfo@co.hennepin.mn.us

Remember to remain polite but assertive. Some key points to mention in your calls, emails, and faxes are:

* Identify yourself as a supporter, friend, family member, or community member calling about Ms. Chrishaun McDonald’s case.
* Tell the County Attorney’s Office why you’re concerned: Ms. McDonald was the target of a hate crime, but she was singled out for aggressive prosecution after the attack.
* County Attorney Freeman has declined to press charges in cases like this at
least three times already this year. Remind him that he has the power to drop
the charges against Ms. McDonald.
* Tell Freeman and Senechal not to side with Ms. McDonald’s white supremacist attackers: drop the charges against Ms. McDonald.
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3. SATURDAY 1-7-12, 4pm to 7pm: CeCe Support Committee Meeting

On January 7th, from 4-7pm the CeCe Support Committee will be meeting at The Exchange, 3405 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis.

Join us to learn about the history of her case, what we’re currently working on and ways you can help out.

Bring your activist spirit and a friend!
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4. EVERYDAY: Please send CeCe a letter while she is in jail!

Please send a letter to CeCe while she is in jail. Let her know she has a huge amount of community support and that we are all here for her.

Public Safety Facility
Attn: Chrishaun Reed McDonald #2012000296401
South 4th Avenue, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Inmates are not allowed to receive packages, including photographs. Packages will not be accepted and will be returned to the sender. Photographs will be removed from the envelope and returned to the inmate at the time of release. Please note that all letters sent to the jail are opened, read, and inspected by jail staff. Use good sense about what you say in your letter, and don’t write about anything that is likely to get you or anyone else in trouble with the cops.

You can also organize a letter writing party! If you live in the area, you don’t even have to worry about paying for postage-bring your letters to the drop box for at The Exchange (3405 Chicago Ave S, Mpls) and we will mail them for you.
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Thank you for supporting CeCe and we look forward to working with you to fight for her and support her in the future!

Sincerely,
the CeCe McDonald Support Committee