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Youth of Color Unjustly Tried as Adults
What: A Community Support Rally for Youth Unjustly Tried as Adults
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Rally from 10:30A.M. To 1 P.M.; Press conference at 10:30 a.m.
(Ricky Angilau's hearing is at 1 p.m.)
Where: Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 S. State St.
Why: We are bringing awareness to the repercussions of the Utah juvenile certification process to try children as adults. We feel as though the certification process for young adults of color is not equal to those of their Caucasian counterparts.
We are also concerned of the affects on young offenders who are pushed through the adult justice system and housed with seasoned criminals before they are legally adults.
For example, Ricky Angilau, a 16-year-old high school student, is being charged as an adult with first-degree felony murder in the slaying of a fellow classmate. Esteban Saidi was a bystander to a larger dispute that spurred the January shooting in a neighborhood near Kearns High School. Ricky stated he was growing weary from the fight and fired twice. One bullet went into the air and the second hit Esteban Saidi who was standing with a group of people, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Context: Before the incident, Ricky had never been in trouble with the law. He was a good student, a Kearns' rugby team member and involved in his LDS church.
The original intent of the serious youth offender law was to convict chronic offenders who have exhausted the juvenile rehabilitation centers. Ricky Angilau is not a repeat offender and certifying him does not serve the interest of the community. Ricky Angilau is not free from consequence of his actions, but has acted rashly as a juvenile and should be treated and charged accordingly. Furthermore, 82% of the youth charged in an adult court were minorities according to research done by Building Blocks For Youth, and this is the injustice that is being expressed by all who sponsor this event.
Sponsored by: FACE Movement, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), Pacific Islander Student Association, Salt Lake City Brown Berets
Information: www.facethestruggle.blogspot.com, 801.860.1389
Schedule (Tentative):
Press conference at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 - FACE Movement statement
10:35 - Prof. Russell K. Van Vleet, professor/lecturer at the University of Utah College of Social Work
10:40 – Attorney’s Statements
10:45 - Ricky's relative
10:50 - Esteban's relative
10:55 - Former certified youth inmate or young
11 - Closing statements
11- 12 Physical Representation of Lost Youth
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Posted by admin on Monday, March 16 @ Pacific Daylight Time (86 reads)
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