Supporters of Mark Curtis's fight for justice will want to step up their efforts in coming weeks. The Iowa State Board of Parole has agreed to meet September 7 with a delegation speaking on his behalf. The board will decide by October whether or not to schedule a parole hearing.
The September 7 meeting with the parole board, which will include a number of prominent supporters of Curtis, will be an important opportunity to press the authorities to end the discriminatory treatment of this political activist and union fighter. Curtis has now been behind bars for nearly 7 years on frame up charges of rape and burglary.
Wherever possible messages calling on the parole board to release Curtis should be sent before the September 7 meeting. The Mark Curtis Defense Committee is also asking that letters continue to be sent through October 1.
The recent revelations about criminal cop behavior in Los Angeles and Philadelphia will make it easier for working people to see the true character of police in every city, including Des Moines, Iowa. The tapes of ex-Los Angeles cop Mark Fuhrman spewing racial epithets and bragging about being a liar and framing people has brought to the surface the real nature of the men in blue.
The cops in Philadelphia are fairing no better from the expose's surrounding the notorious 39th District. Five cops have already pleaded guilty to falsifying reports, robbing and beating people, and planting evidence. At least seven more may be indicted.
The chief witness against Curtis was Des Moines police officer Joseph Gonzalez. This cop also has a history of lying and beating people. He was once disciplined for beating up on two youths he picked up because of an expired traffic warrant. One of the young men suffered a head injury, the other was thrown around by the hair. One of the youths later won an out-of-court damages settlement and Gonzalez was suspended for 10 days for lying on his report. Even though the case against Curtis hinged on the testimony of Gonzalez, the jury was not allowed to hear evidence of the disciplinary actions that were taken against him that demonstrated he had a history of lying.
Supporters of Mark Curtis can take advantage of the naked brutality, corruption, and racism that has been exposed by the recent scandals in Los Angeles and Philadelphia to once again explain the issues in Curtis's frame up. Mobilizing support from workers and farmers in struggle and from students and youth around the world will put maximum pressure on Iowa authorities to grant Curtis a hearing and consider his release.