bristol county

Writing to Sherrie in Jail

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On March 9, Sherrie Andre was found guilty of trespassing and disturbing the peace and was sentenced to THIRTY DAYS in jail, the maximum possible penalty.

We are shocked and enraged. But we know that this is the exact type of violence that the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department, the prison industrial complex and the criminal “justice” system impose on people every single day.

Sherrie was arrested at a protest in August 2018 at the Bristol County House of Corrections. The action was carried out in solidarity with people detained by ICE at the facility who launched a hunger strike to demand better conditions. During the action Sherrie was brutalized by the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department.

At the trial, the prosecution failed to prove that Sherrie committed any crimes, yet they were still found guilty. Despite dozens of letters of support submitted on Sherrie’s behalf, the judge enforced the maximum sentence.

After the jail sentenced was announced, one of Sherrie’s supporters was violently arrested in the courthouse.

Despite the repression we have faced, we will keep fighting to support our people and hold the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department accountable for their violence.

Letters can be to sent to Sherrie while they serve a 30 day prison sentence at the Bristol County House of Corrections:

Sherrie Andre, ID 193414, Cell DWC-C4
Bristol County House of Correction, 400 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747

All mail MUST include a return address. More info about sending mail to the facility can be found here: https://bcso-ma.us/visitors-mailinginfo.htm

Sherrie’s Trial: Fill the Court!

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Join us at the New Bedford District Court on March 5 at 8:30 AM, as we continue to support Sherrie Andre, co-founder of the FANG Collective, who is beginning their trial after it was postponed in January.

Sherrie is going to trial as a result of an action taken at the Bristol County House of Corrections in August 2018. The action was held in solidarity with people in I.C.E. detention who launched a hunger strike to demand better conditions at the facility.

On January 7th, over 100 of us came to the New Bedford District Court to support Sherrie as they began their trial.

Despite the fact that both Sherrie’s legal team, and the prosecution were prepared for the trial, the judge inexplicably decided to postpone the trial. After the decision was announced, court officers violently and aggressively removed supporters from the court house.

On March 5th we will be back at the courthouse. It is our intention to show solidarity with Sherrie, and to show support for everyone else facing the court system in New Bedford.

Sherrie is facing up to 30 days in jail. Two other people arrested as part of the action have served 10 day jail sentences, and another person was fined $3000 in restitution.

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Please fill out this form if you need a ride to the trial, can offer a ride, or are coming from out of town: https://form.jotform.com/200349627857161

We are also asking folks to submit letters of support for Sherrie that will be delivered to the judge. You can submit a letter of support by emailing support@shutdownicenow.org or by filling out this form: https://form.jotform.com/92857485633168

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You can read about what happened at the court in January here: https://itsgoingdown.org/over-100-people-show-up-to-support-sherrie-andre-of-the-fang-collective-on-trial-for-resisting-ice/

You can read more about the action that Sherrie took part in here (tw police violence): https://upriseri.com/2018-08-20-fang/

And you can read more about why Sherrie is choosing to go to trial here: https://medium.com/@karen.savage/activist-faces-jail-time-for-resisting-massachusetts-sheriffs-collaboration-with-ice-380649e0e9d9

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/116694836426742/

A REQUEST: COURT SUPPORT FOR 3 FANG MEMBERS

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Next week three of our friends, who were arrested in resistance of ICE, will be going to court. Please come out to support them.

Last August four people with The FANG Collective were arrested at the Bristol County House Corrections after peacefully blocking the entrances to the prison. The action was carried out in solidarity with ICE detainees who were on hunger strike to protest the dire conditions at the facility. Bristol County officials, including Sheriff Hodgson, reacted to the action with violence, resulting in two demonstrators receiving traumatic brain injuries.
More information about that action can be found here.  

Amory, one of the four people arrested at the action has been sentenced to ten days in jail. Last month Holly, one of the other people who were arrested as part of the action, served a jail sentence in Bristol County. Another person began their sentence last week. Sherrie, who is the fourth person being prosecuted for taking action, could begin their trial this month.

On July 16, Amory will begin serving a ten day jail sentence in Bristol County, MA.

On July 17, Sherrie is making a motion to move the location of their trial. This could be their final court appearance before the trial begins.

We are asking people to come to the New Bedford District Court at 8:45 on both days to show our support for Amory and Sherrie!

On July 19, Lee is seeking to have her charges dismissed after being violently arrested during a meeting between ICE and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department. She was violently arrested after peacefully speaking up. More information on that action can be found here.

Sheriff Hodgson, the head of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department is a close ally of Trump and is known for his violent and racist policies. Hodgson is facing several lawsuits and investigations focused on corruption and the awful conditions at the facilities he oversees.  

If you need a ride to the courthouse on either day, post on the Facebook event pages (links for the 16th and 17th here). We also are requesting donations for this, as we plan to bring petty cash to help other community members who need to pay off small fines in court. 

Thank you for your support!!