Over at the Occupy Oakland web site this horrific tale of possible abuse of an occupier is detailed in what sounds like, on the surface, a house of horrors tale:
Khali was originally arrested on minor misdemeanor charges but because of a violation hold he was incarcerated for 4 days before any charges were formally filed.
- While most people would have been released from jail and asked to appear for a future court date given the minor nature of the misdemeanor charges, the DA extended Khali’s incarceration because of the county’s assertion that he is homeless.
- We are concerned for Khali’s health and physical well-being. He has shown up for every court appearance with severely bruised, swollen eyes and it’s evident that he is suffering physical abuse.
- We are also concerned for Khali’s mental health. He is on medication prescribed by a psychiatrist and we have learned that he has not been given his meds, nor even received medical evaluation since his arrest. It is clear during his court appearances that he is suffering enormously from having his medication withheld.
There's more...
- We have learned that the alleged assault occurred upon his arrival back at Santa Rita when guards were placing him in solitary confinement. It is unclear why the decision was made to place him in solitary confinement (prior to any alleged assault) given that he was only being charged with minor misdemeanors and was in the process of being bailed out.
The failure of the Oakland police to release Khali "because he is homeless" is clearly criminalization of homelessness. At the time of the initial request to grant bail, Khali's charges were misdemeanors. In addition, Khali provided the court with an address. The excuse that staff was off and the address therefore, could not be verified, was used.
Occupy Oakland has come under increasing harrassment since the December 12th shutdown of the Port. Clearly the one percent and their parasites would like to see this encampment gone.
I'd like to hear from all you legal types that have been posting on the various technicalities of the first amendment as it relates to the Occupy movement, weigh in on the torture and abuse of occupiers that has been happening across the nation since the start of this movement.
Occupy Oakland offered this info to help free Khali:
PLEASE call the Pleasanton District Attorney’s office and express your concern regarding Khali’s (Marcel Johnson) case: (925) 803-7171