July 8, 2011 ATTN: Judge Vanderet
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 We, the signors below, respectfully request that the court be lenient in its sentencing of Steve Richardson. We know Steve Richardson to be an active and dedicated member of our community. He is a leader in fighting for the rights and protections of homeless people. He is a valuable advocate and an asset to our community. He has been a role model for many of us in how committed he is to changing the conditions that create poverty. We admire his strength. While incarcerated, our community will feel the loss of his leadership and his energy. Those who stand up for justice should be recognized for their courage and be allowed to continue their important work. Again, we request with all due respect that you take our voice into consideration and allow him the minimum sentencing under the law. Thank you, Nosotros, los abajo firmantes, respetuosamente solicitamos que la Corte sea clemente con la sentencia de Steve Richardson. Conocemos a Steve Richardson como un miembro activo y dedicado de nuestra comunidad. El es un líder en la lucha por los derechos y protecciones de las personas que viven en las calles. El es un defensor valioso y un activo de nuestra comunidad. Él ha sido un modelo a imitar para muchos de nosotros en su compromiso por transformar las condiciones que crean la pobreza. Admiramos su fuerza. Mientras el este encarcelado, nuestra comunidad sentirá la pérdida de su liderazgo y energía. Aquellos que luchan por la justicia deberían ser reconocidos por su coraje y debería permitírseles continuar con su importante trabajo. Nuevamente, con el debido respeto solicitamos a usted que tome nuestras voces en consideración y que le otorgue una sentencia mínima bajo la ley. Gracias. Name/Nombre Address/Direccion City/Cuidad 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. ----- Original Message ----- From: Becky Dennison To: Becky Dennison Cc: Pete White ; Steve Diaz ; Steve Richardson ; Deborah Burton ; Intern 2 ; Eric Ares Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 3:49 PM Subject: no turnout needed tomorrow for Dogon's hearing, but support letters are needed! Hi everyone, Just wanted to send a quick update, since we have had a bunch of questions about Dogon's sentencing hearing tomorrow. John, our attorney, has submitted a motion to postpone this hearing, which will be heard tomorrow and it is 99% sure to be granted. So, while a small group of us will be going, we don't need broad turnout from supporters tomorrow afternoon. We will send the date that is granted for the sentencing hearing and we will need courtroom supporters, as well as personal testimony from a smaller group of people, on that date. BUT - there is something you can do now to support the eventual sentencing process. We are asking for as many organizations AND individuals that are familiar with Dogon and his work in the community to submit letters describing his character and contributions to our communities. These letters should not focus on the details of the case, but on Dogon's positive traits and contributions. The City Attorney has already submitted a sentencing memo asking for the full nine year sentence and attacking Dogon's character, as well as released a press release to do the same. These letters (and some of your testimony) will be key to countering these accusations and demands to the judge. There are two letters attached as examples. Also, for those of you who have staff and members familiar with LA CAN and Dogon's work, but not personal knowledge of his character and contributions, you can use the attached petition that Union de Vecinos created to express broad support for him and leniency in sentencing. We will send out the sentencing hearing date as soon as we know it - we will need the letters and petitions a day or two before that date, but the sooner the better. Thanks - once again - for the continued outpouring of support and solidarity. Becky and LA CAN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: laamn-dig...@yahoogroups.com laamn-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: laamn-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/