Contents:
- Demonstration at Crystal City Hall
- Night of Remembrance and Thanks
- Regime Change Comes to Crystal
WHERE'S THE INVESTIGATION?
TIME TO REMIND CRYSTAL THAT WE'RE SERIOUS!
Demonstration at Crystal City Hall
Corner of 42nd Street & Douglas Ave N, Crystal
Tuesday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m.
AND sign our online petition
Transportation available: Meet at 5 p.m. at 4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
The Ramirez family was suddenly and illegally locked out of their home after Brooklyn Park police officer Greg Burstad raided their home in Crystal without a warrant (and found nothing illegal), assaulted the grandfather Norberto, then changed the locks on the home. After four days, Burstad promised to let the family back in but they arrived to see a truck driving away with all of their possessions. A few days later, Burstad had Norberto deported.
The family reported this crime to the Crystal police. They asked about the investigation multiple times. Even the FBI asked about the investigation. But Crystal police took no action. Finally, the detective assigned to the case admitted that he was pressured not to investigate.
We filed complaints on behalf of the family with Crystal city manager, Anne Norris. She refuses to even meet with the family. The police chief responsible for stalling the investigation has since retired and Norris gave him a chance to get away without consequences. Norris claims there is an investigation by an outside investigator, Mary Dobbins. By her history, Dobbins appears to primarily defend cities from complaints. Dobbins has yet to interview anyone in the Ramirez family or even the attorney that was told by the investigator about being pressured not to investigate. What kind of investigator doesn't interview key witnesses?
We've made three demands to the City of Crystal--that they investigate the original suppression of the investigation, that they actually investigate the crime against the Ramirez family, and that they identify where the Ramirez family's belongings went and try to recover them. So far, they are a FAIL on all three counts. We're reminding the City of Crystal that we are serious about these demands. We'll protest outside of city hall, then speak out at their city council meeting. JOIN US!
Want to take some action before November 20th? Please sign our online petition to demand Burstad be fired and lose his police license so he can never hurt another family.
Saturday, December 1
5:00 p.m.
4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
Free and open to the public
2012 has been quite a year for CUAPB. We've accomplished many of our goals but also watched tearfully as our office of eight years burned to the ground in the Walker Church fire on May 27th. Thanks to the help of many caring people, we've landed on our feet with a great new office. It's a good thing, since the City of Minneapolis killed off the CRA and we find ourselves busier than ever handling large numbers of cases each week. We've also been busy representing 29 people in their complaints after being harmed by Ofc. Greg Burstad and others with the Metro Gang Strike Force. We also have a number of other projects underway.
We want to take the time to thank all who have helped us and supported our work this year. Please join us for a delicious dinner and tour of our new office. We'll also take a few minutes to remember the people who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement this year.
Thank you for your support and assistance. We look forward to celebrating and remembering with you.
TIME TO REMIND CRYSTAL THAT WE'RE SERIOUS!
Demonstration at Crystal City Hall
Corner of 42nd Street & Douglas Ave N, Crystal
Tuesday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m.
AND sign our online petition
Transportation available: Meet at 5 p.m. at 4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
The Ramirez family was suddenly and illegally locked out of their home after Brooklyn Park police officer Greg Burstad raided their home in Crystal without a warrant (and found nothing illegal), assaulted the grandfather Norberto, then changed the locks on the home. After four days, Burstad promised to let the family back in but they arrived to see a truck driving away with all of their possessions. A few days later, Burstad had Norberto deported.
The family reported this crime to the Crystal police. They asked about the investigation multiple times. Even the FBI asked about the investigation. But Crystal police took no action. Finally, the detective assigned to the case admitted that he was pressured not to investigate.
We filed complaints on behalf of the family with Crystal city manager, Anne Norris. She refuses to even meet with the family. The police chief responsible for stalling the investigation has since retired and Norris gave him a chance to get away without consequences. Norris claims there is an investigation by an outside investigator, Mary Dobbins. By her history, Dobbins appears to primarily defend cities from complaints. Dobbins has yet to interview anyone in the Ramirez family or even the attorney that was told by the investigator about being pressured not to investigate. What kind of investigator doesn't interview key witnesses?
We've made three demands to the City of Crystal--that they investigate the original suppression of the investigation, that they actually investigate the crime against the Ramirez family, and that they identify where the Ramirez family's belongings went and try to recover them. So far, they are a FAIL on all three counts. We're reminding the City of Crystal that we are serious about these demands. We'll protest outside of city hall, then speak out at their city council meeting. JOIN US!
Want to take some action before November 20th? Please sign our online petition to demand Burstad be fired and lose his police license so he can never hurt another family.
______________________________________________________________
NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSSaturday, December 1
5:00 p.m.
4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
Free and open to the public
2012 has been quite a year for CUAPB. We've accomplished many of our goals but also watched tearfully as our office of eight years burned to the ground in the Walker Church fire on May 27th. Thanks to the help of many caring people, we've landed on our feet with a great new office. It's a good thing, since the City of Minneapolis killed off the CRA and we find ourselves busier than ever handling large numbers of cases each week. We've also been busy representing 29 people in their complaints after being harmed by Ofc. Greg Burstad and others with the Metro Gang Strike Force. We also have a number of other projects underway.
We want to take the time to thank all who have helped us and supported our work this year. Please join us for a delicious dinner and tour of our new office. We'll also take a few minutes to remember the people who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement this year.
Thank you for your support and assistance. We look forward to celebrating and remembering with you.
______________________________________________________________
REGIME CHANGE COMES TO CRYSTAL
As outlined in the Community Solutions blog, the November 2 election led to major regime change in the city of Crystal. Incumbent mayor ReNae Bowman, who was so rude to us at the October 2 city council meeting, went down in flames. More than a few people have said that her treatment toward the community contributed to her downfall.
Green Party candidate Laura Libby was elected to the city council. Ms. Libby, who participated in our October 2 protest and spoke out at the council meeting was "punished" by the old regime, who endorsed her competitor. If anything, this probably helped Laura as she was seen an outsider who isn't part of the status quo.
Congratulations to the newly elected public officials of Crystal. We look forward to working with them to finally get justice for the Ramirez family.
As outlined in the Community Solutions blog, the November 2 election led to major regime change in the city of Crystal. Incumbent mayor ReNae Bowman, who was so rude to us at the October 2 city council meeting, went down in flames. More than a few people have said that her treatment toward the community contributed to her downfall.
Green Party candidate Laura Libby was elected to the city council. Ms. Libby, who participated in our October 2 protest and spoke out at the council meeting was "punished" by the old regime, who endorsed her competitor. If anything, this probably helped Laura as she was seen an outsider who isn't part of the status quo.
Congratulations to the newly elected public officials of Crystal. We look forward to working with them to finally get justice for the Ramirez family.
_____________________________________________________________
Communities United Against Police Brutality
We meet every Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
www.cuapb.org
24-hour hotline 612-874-7867
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