MONDAY, National Call In Day, July 6: Stand With Immigrants’ Rights Activist Nadia Topete! Say No to Grand Jury Repression!
On July 1, law enforcement came to the home of immigrants’ rights activist and Centro CSO member, Nadia Topete, to deliver a second subpoena ordering her to speak in front of a grand jury on July 8. Topete had been first subpoenaed to testify in before and she refused to go. The Committee to Stop FBI Repression condemns this second subpoena of Topete and will fight against any attempt to jail her.
We now know that this grand jury is related to the anti-ICE activism in Los Angeles that took place last summer. We also have every reason to believe that this is an attempt to re-examine the case of Alejandro Orellana, another immigrant’s rights activist who participated in the anti-ICE protests last year. Orellana was charged with conspiracy to commit civil unrest. The bogus charges were later dropped.
Nothing good comes of speaking in front of a grand jury. Grand juries, nine times out of ten, result in indictments, and they are frequently used against activists. Not testifying against one’s fellow activists can mean jail time. Those who refuse to testify in front of grand juries are heroes. We should learn from their example and exercise that kind of courage in order to protect our movements from harm.
Neither Topete nor Orellana did anything wrong by protesting against the ICE occupation of Los Angeles. Nor did Topete do anything wrong by not speaking about here activism in front of the grand jury. We ask all fair-minded people to stand with Nadia Topete. We call upon our supporters to dial into the office of Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat and demand, Hands Off Nadia Topete!
When: July 6, Monday, from 9am to 5pm PST
Who: call both
1. Bilal Essayli, US Attorney Central District Office Line @ (714) 338-3500, press 0
2. Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat @ (619) 557-5610
Script:
“I am [NAME] calling from [STATE] and I am outraged that Nadia Topete could be jailed for refusing to testify in front of a grand jury. I demand the grand jury investigation of immigrant rights activist be shut down. She did nothing wrong. Hands Off Nadia Topete!”
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