Last year, the Sacramento police outrageously charged ANSWER Coalition activist Maile Hampton, a young Afro-Native organizer, with felony “lynching.” After holding them initially on $100,000 bail, Maile was released pending trial. The Sacramento District Attorney has decided to drop the felony lynching charge after sustained community pressure and international publicity. However, Maile still faces an unjust misdemeanor charge and could spend up to a year in jail in addition to being put on probation and being given a large fine.

Maile's case has been moved and delayed several times we are currently waiting for the DA to announce the date of the trial. When we have the date we will publicize it and ask everyone to attend in support.

Add your name below to demand that the Sacramento County District Attorney drop the remaining charge against Maile Hampton now!

Dear Mayor Rawlings-Blake: 

I stand in solidarity with those in Baltimore who are demanding that all charges be dropped against those who rose up against racism, police brutality, oppressive social conditions and delay of justice in the case of Freddie Gray. The whole world now recognizes that were it not for this powerful grassroots movement, in all its forms, there would be no indictment. 

It is an outrage that peaceful protesters have been brutalized, beaten and pepper-sprayed by police in the streets, and held for days in inhumane conditions. Those arrested include journalists and legal observers.

Even the youth who are charged with property destruction and looting should be given an amnesty. There is no reason a teenager -- provoked by racists and justifiably angry -- should be facing life in prison for breaking the windows of a police car. 

The City of Baltimore should work to rectify the conditions that led to this Uprising, rather than criminalizing those who took action in response to those conditions. Drop the charges now!

Sincerely,

[add your name below]