Category: Uncategorized

Dear Friends:

After having been through surgery, Ramsey was taken to ICU, and I believe that he is still there. He is doing better. He is able to converse and reflect on family, friends, and the grave illness that he has experienced for the past several weeks.

The surgical procedure consisted of cleaning his intestines, as they had a tremendous amount of infected fluids. Doctors did not see a bile leak.

Ramsey still has infected fluids that doctors continue to suction out. He has a tube inserted through his nose and four other tubes inserted through small incisions on his stomach. They continue to give him antibiotics in hopes that they will minimize the infection so that his body begins to fight on its own. His kidneys are functioning normally and his will to survive is strong. God willing, he will overcome this illness.

Again we thank many families and friends who have prayed for Ramsey, expressing hopes that God restore his health. Love and positive energy are powerful forces that can bring about profound change.

With gratitude and love,

Irma Muniz

Note: describing the final minutes of a 15 minute ride that he gave to two friends.

As I was approaching the stop sign at Quicksilver and Pleasant Valley I
saw an unmarked police behind me. When we got to the intersection
I saw a gray unmarked police car pass Quicksilver southbound on
Pleasant Valley and then back up real fast. I stopped at the stop
sign and the gray police car pulled in front of me. When the
police car stopped in front of me I just stayed where I was. Rick
and Daniel said something like, "Oh Shit!" and they got out and started
running. I heard a female voice yell to Rick an Daniel by name
and tell them not to run. A female officer who was wearing a
yellow top came to my side and opened my door. She placed her
hand on my arm she told me to get out of the car. I then asked
her if I should put it in park. Right after I put the vehicle in
park, I heard the gunshot…

Signed and notarized June 10, 2005

RECOMMENDATIONS of Aug. 16 Press Conference

In Response to No-Billing of Police Officer

In Daniel Rocha Killing

1) Institute a "Uniform Disciplinary Matrix" that makes officer
punishments consistent from case to case, including mandatory
termination for the most serious offenses. Per the latter, the adoption
of this recommendation would induce the termination of Julie Schroeder,
who shot an unarmed, 132-pound 18-year-old boy in the back at point
blank range after he was already face down on the ground.

2) Mandate pairing of proven (i.e. no history of excessive force,
discrimination or suspension) veterans with rookies on the East side.

3) Institute accountable, documented and independent [of the patrolling
officer(s)] handling of all patrol car video cameras and tapes, and have
all video and audio recording devices in operation during all activity,
not subject to arbitrary control by the patrolling officer.

In addition to these recommendations, we call for a public apology by
Chief Knee to the Rocha family and to the community at large for the
behavior of Julie Schroeder, and for the behavior of all of the officers
who have used excessive force.
For Immediate Release: ADVISORY
August 16, 2005
Contact: Debbie Russell, 573-6194
or Austin Dullnig, 443-5616

ACLU & Other Community Leaders Call for Termination of Julie Schroeder
in Light of Grand Jury Decision

What: The Central Texas ACLU and other community leaders will hold a
press conference urging APD Chief Stan Knee to terminate Julie Schroeder
in accordance with their recommendations asserted earlier this week (see
below). Given the recent shooting of 18-year-old Hispanic Daniel Rocha,
such respected figures as Rev. Sterling Lands, II and prominent local
organizations as PODER, LULAC, the NAACP and the American Friends
Service Committee agree with the ACLU that these recommendations would
help to ensure that no more violent injustice is perpetrated by the APD
in our potentially peaceful city.

Where: Travis County Courthouse steps, 1000 Guadalupe St. (between 10th
and 11th on Guadalupe)

When: Tuesday, August 16, 2005, 5:00pm press conference and demonstration

Who: the Central Texas ACLU, PODER, LULAC, El Concilio, Austin Area NAACP

Why: too many people of color have died as a result of excessive use of
force by the APD, and many more have been wrongfully and violently
treated. The Grand Jury process is characterized by conflict of
interest, and the ball is now in the court of the APD. By terminating
Julie Schoreder and adopting a few very specific policies and practices,
the APD could prevent such tragedies as have occurred with Sophia King,
Jesse Owens and Daniel Rocha, and begin to restore the trust of the
Austin community.

‘No Nonsence in November’ has a campaign website, announced this week
by
Texas political prodigy Glen Maxey, aiming to defeat that ugly
amendment to constitutionalize homophobia in Texas. Remember,
Texas was one of
the few states to turn back ballot ID, and we can beat this
Republican-led effort at public paranoia, too. Here’s where you go to
stay on message:

http://www.nononsenseinnovember.com/
Sez the website: "For the first time in history, you are being asked to put a
prohibition against someone’s human rights in a document that has long
been seen as the place where you grant and expand protections for
people."

See also TCRR review of initiative to constitutionalize homophobia in Texas.