This statement is in regards to the arrest by the Los Angeles Police/Sheriff Department of one Mr. Joaquin Cienfuegos on JUNE 26, 2008 at roughly 11:00PM in Los Angeles.

We the undersigned on behalf of the Worker Solidarity Alliance, and itâ??s collective membership, one and all, stand in solidarity with and demand the immediate release of one Joaquin Cienfuegos, a founding member of Cop-Watch Los Angeles, from the custody of the Los Angeles Police/Sheriffs Department.

Mr. Cienfuegos, a longtime political and social activist, has long been under special scrutiny by the LAPD for his political stances and his social advocacy work in the community. And based upon the details of Mr. Cienfuegos arrest that have come to our attention we of the WSA feel very strongly that the LA Police/Sheriffs departments have singled out Mr. Cienfuegos for special scrutiny and treatment in this case based upon his political activism, and as such we consider Mr. Cienfuegos to be a political prisoner of the LA Police/Sheriff departments and the City of Los Angeles. We feel strongly that the arrest of Mr. Cienfuegos was carried out in violation of Mr. Cienfuegos civil rights and with malicious intent by the Los Angeles Police/Sheriff Department and the arresting officers.

Furthermore we feel strongly that every day that Mr. Cienfuegos remains in the custody of the LAPD that his well-being, health, and in fact very life, are threatened due to his political stance and activism vis-vis the LAPD. The exorbitant 40,000 USD amount set for Mr. Cienfuegos bail is completely unacceptable, and in our eyes is clearly an attempt to keep Mr. Cienfuegos in indefinite police custody pending trial, we feel strongly that this unacceptably high bail is a malicious attempt by the judiciary of the city of Los Angeles to castigate and punish Mr. Cienfuegos due to his political and social activism.

We the membership of the Worker Solidarity Alliance stand in full solidarity with Mr. Joaquin Cienfuegos, and if any physical harm should befall Mr. Cienfuegos during his time in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department, or any other department or agency of the city of Los Angeles, we the WSA will hold you, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles Police/Sheriff Department, and the judiciary of the city of Los Angeles directly and personally responsible for any such misfortune.

Free Joaquin!

In solidarity with Joaquin Cienfuegos!

Very truly yours,

Workers Solidarity Alliance

339 Lafayette St, Room 202
New York, NY 10012
wsany@hotmail.com

WSA California:
San Francisco:
info@workersolidarity.org.

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