Doey #BORNGUILTY droppin TOMORROW 11.1.11 at 8:18
http://valleycatsthelabel.tumblr.com
#freerichiereseda

Family, Friends, Homies, Comrades, and supporters worldwide, 

Thank you eternally for all birthday wishes, donations, T-shirt purchases, letters, and endless prayers/positive energy. 

Happy Birthday to me! You can imagine I’m having a blast. Haha. But truly I’m very grateful and in high spirits, determined to make this the best birthday of my life. I’m trying to convince the pigs to bring me some Chipotle; but I’ll let you know how that works out. Haha. 

I never foresaw myself having a birthday in a cage; but unfortunately this is the reality for me and 2 million other U.S. Prisoners, the majority of which being black and latino. What’s important is that we stay strong and positive and continue to attract victories into existence. This is just a minor setback. 

Once I’m freed, and my two brothers/codefendants Kalan and Jordan are freed, I can once again set my crosshairs on dismantling the vicious prison industrial complex, and rebuilding an effective correctional system. That’s my goal for this 20th chapter in my life: a refocussing on what’s best for all humans.

I cannot achieve this alone. 

It’s important for us not to lose sight of the millions of Richie Reseda’s locked up in institutions more reflective of Jim Crow slavery than anything I’ve every witnessed. 

You are all warriors! Let’s keep the bail donations and fundraising efforts going! All I ask for my birthday is the persistence of your rigorous dedication. 

Free Kalan! Free Jordan! Free Me!

Three today, 2 million tomorrow.

VALLEY!

Peace and Love,

Richie Reseda ¿

“What you can complain about on the streets is damn near impossible to complain about while you are inside these walls.”

“I have seen more police brutality in the last month then I have my
entire life”

Arrest:
… “I was walking down the street and I heard screaming from 2
different men from 2 different directions.
Then were not in a marked police car. I was being hit close to my
temple area by a gun, and then i was
jumped on and 2 guns were put in my face. I was frisked and told over
and over that i was lucky i didnt
die tonight and I was called the N word, and I was never read my
miranda right. I was told that I was lucky I didnt get shot tonight.”

Wayside and County and Van Nuys:
“I was constantly disrespected and denied the medicine i needed when i was in Van Nuys, and by the time I got to county I saw dudes being beat up by the guards. I saw a man get his leg broke. Besides the intense verbal abuse even when I come at the guards correctly they try to use gang phrases, and they are constantly using language that is sexual harassment. I’ve seen a white guard tell a black man ‘pick up your paper boy.’
Since I have been in wayside they have pulled us out of our dorms in
the middle of the night at least 4x and made all of us come out and
get naked and while we are stripping they make sexual slurs/comments. I
see all this as a form of dehumanization/terror/isolation. they take
our property and they throw it away and there is nothing we can do about it. I heard a guard tell an inmate ‘do you want me to blow your dome off with my 9.’”

#freeRichieReseda - End the P.I.C. (Prison Industrial Complex)

Click here to DONATE to the Richie Reseda Freedom Fund.

Dear Friends, Fam, and Community,
This letter comes to you as a call of support for our brother, friend, and family, Richard Edmond. Richard was arrested on September 26th and is facing multiple life sentences. The news of his arrest has been devastating for everyone that surrounds him and our efforts to support and protect him are going to require hiring a private attorney. (We are unable to talk about the details of the case, but are able to give you the information that he is fighting multiple life sentences, and is in need of our support ASAP)
He is fighting multiple life sentences in a prison system that allowed Troy Davis to be executed just two weeks ago. A prison system whose focus on more severe punishments has resulted in 2.3 million people locked up in cages under inhumane conditions with no investment in the safety, hope, and healing for our folks inside and outside of prison walls. We are of the belief that human bodies should not be in cages and that we should be focusing our resources towards restorative and transformative justice models.
Anyone who knows Richard knows he is the underscore of brilliance. He is a young 19 year old Black man with an insatiable appetite for creativity, a sharpness of wit that will make you laugh and think critically about the world, and a warm heart that cares deeply about his community, his friends, and the health and sustainability of the Black community. Anyone that knows the criminal justice system knows that Richard is going to need every resource available to him, most immediately a lawyer that cares about keeping Richard out of prison. We are currently raising money to hire a criminal defense attorney who works out of Van Nuys court house and has experience with fighting charges of this magnitude. Patrisse met with this lawyer on Friday October 7th and he is willing take the case. Our goal is $7,500-10,000 as that is the Lawyers asking price.
Patrisse and Mark Anthony have been in consistent contact with his parents who are doing their best to hold it together and taking it one day at a time. They are deeply appreciative of everyone who loves and supports Richard, deeply appreciative. When Richard has access to a phone he is in consistent contact with Patrisse who was present at his first court date when he was made aware of the charges. Mark-anthony was able to visit Richard on the 2nd of October. He was in decent spirits; still shocked, devastated, and in disbelief at the fight ahead of him. He told Mark-Anthony that the only reason his spirit isn’t broken is because he has so much love and support.
The most immediate support we need is fundraising. His family is well aware that we are helping fundraise, and Richard has asked Patrisse directly to lead the fundraising so she can present the money to the Lawyer. We need to raise this money with in the next week or so. If we can have half the money by Thursday Oct 13th, then we should be in good shape. Anything you give will go a long ways. Richard’s next court date is October 18th, 2011 at 8:30am. Keep Richard in your prayers, remember to always celebrate the life you have, and honor your family and friends.
- Patrisse Cullors

Donations are being coordinated by his mentor (Patrisse Cullors) who will help collect contributions for Richard’s legal fees through PayPal: 
 You can pay with a bank account, debit line, or credit card on PayPal:

• If you ALREADY have a PayPal account, you can send money to my email address:patrissemarie@gmail.com. Just go to www.PayPal.com, log in, and send money to my email address, which is linked directly to my bank account. 

• If you don’t have a paypal account you can click this link and pay with a credit and debit card. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4KQY72A89BF6L

• Please pass this letter on to others who can support us. If you have any questions or trouble making a contribution, please feel free to contact Patrisse Cullors for more information.